NEWS RELEASES
New monthly Billingshurst village market
12 November 2008
A NEW local produce market – Burdfield’s Village Market - is launching next Wednesday (19 November) in Billingshurst’s Library Car Park.
The market will run from 9am to 1pm on the third Wednesday this November, December and February 2009. If this trial of the revitalised market in its new location is successful, permission will be sought to make the market a regular fixture.
Following the demise of the Jenger’s Mead based farmers market in September, Horsham District Council has been working with Billingshurst Parish Council, Billingshurst Community Partnership and the owners of the well regarded Burdfield’s Country Market to relaunch a regular market as an extension of their store. In this way it is hoped that the market will have a secure base being complementary to the town’s existing food offer and in time, given local support, help to build trade for the town as a whole.
The idea of Burdfield’s local produce store/café extending itself once a month through a market has been well received by many and it is hoped that in this form it will capture wider interest and support from the local community, many of whom had lost interest in previous Wednesday markets as they dwindled in size.
Owners Anita and Peter Burdfield are excited by the idea.
“I think changing the markets location to down here by the library offers real potential,” said Anita, continuing.
“This is a great opportunity both for local producers and Billingshurst people as once a month we can offer a much wider range of products than we can in the shop”.
Garry Mortimer-Cook, Town Centres and Markets Manager for Horsham District Council explained more,
“I think connecting the market to an existing produce shop makes sense.
"After all, if we are to encourage greater use of local produce it needs to become more than just a once a month special purchase. If once a month people come in to buy things they can’t otherwise get in Billingshurst then hopefully they can be persuaded to return to shop more regularly for the things that they can.”
Many larger shops including the Budgens chain are now increasing their ranges of locally sourced produce but demand at good farmers markets and specialist local produce stores continues in line with the quest for healthier eating and a reduction in the number of miles our food has to travel.
The Chairman of Billingshurst Community Partnership, Patrick Perks, said:
“We think this is a great idea and urge the community of Billingshurst to use the market and let the operators know what you want to see on it.
"The message is - This is your market – use it or lose it!”
Ends
News release issued by Town Centres Management, Horsham District Council
Horsham - Time Well Spent - www.visithorsham.co.uk
Contact: Garry Mortimer-Cook, Town Centres Manager
Horsham - Billingshurst - Henfield - Pulborough - Southwater - Steyning - Storrington
e: tcm@horsham.gov.uk t: 01403 215386 m : 07841 522741 f: 01403 215371
Horsham District Council, North Point, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1RL