Farmers’ Market Shoppers Stalled

Published on: 1 Dec, 2020
Updated on: 3 Dec, 2020

Guildford’s popular Farmers Market normally takes place regularly on the first Tuesday of each month.

By Martin Giles

Disappointed shoppers expecting the regular Farmers’ Market, normally held on the first Tuesday of each month, were left puzzling in Guildford’s stall-less High Street this morning (December 1).

The market had been cancelled because of the lockdown. One confused lady said “I didn’t see any notices to warn shoppers.

“I asked the council employee at the High Street barrier but he said he didn’t know anything about it. I was relying on the market to get the eggs I like.”

Another said: “I checked on The Dragon, as I do for local news, and I didn’t see the market closure mentioned, so I was all set to go to buy presents as well as food but then decided to check further.

“I eventually found the info on a Facebook page and saw the 15th had been cancelled too, all replaced by a Saturday, December 19 event in the car park by the George Abbot pub.

“The 19th is leaving it pretty late to buy things you must be sure of having. I’ll probably buy elsewhere. It’s very disappointing, especially as the weather is so good. I bet a lot of people will turn up and wonder what’s happening.

“Nil points for advance publicity, GBC.”

Cllr John Redpath

Cllr John Redpath (R4GV, Holy Trinity), lead for Economy, said: “We are really sorry to have caused confusion.

“As we are still in lockdown until tomorrow, we had not planned to hold this market and we had been working hard behind the scenes with our producers to find a suitable date and venue to hold a market safely before Christmas.

“The Portsmouth Road car park is a much larger space where our residents and visitors can shop safely.

“Once again, we are sorry for any residents who had anticipated visiting our High Street today. We have run several markets successfully in our Portsmouth Road car park this year and all of our December markets have been moved there.

“We look forward to welcoming everybody to enjoy some fantastic local produce and great Christmas gift ideas.”

December market dates:

Saturday 5, 10am-5pm: Christmas Craft

Sunday 6, 10.30am-4.30pm: Festive Vegan

Saturday 1, 10am-5pm: Christmas Craft

Sunday 13, 9.30am-3.30pm: Antiques and Brocante

Saturday 19, 9.30am-4pm: Christmas Farmers

Sunday 20, 10am-5pm: Christmas Craft

Responses to Farmers’ Market Shoppers Stalled

D Fielden (Mrs) Reply

December 1, 2020 at 7:15 pm

People had been asking if the market was coming for ages. It was only seen Monday evening (on Facebook) that it would not be running. Very disappointing and I’m sure the 19th is too late for most people.
D Watkins Reply

December 2, 2020 at 9:28 am

**Guildford Farmers’ Market: new date & location for December**. I’ve just seen this Facebook posting.

“We are sorry to have to re-schedule our December Farmers’ Markets, planned for Tuesday 1st and Tuesday 15th December. The market will now be held on Saturday, 19th December 2020 from 9.30am to 4pm at the new location of the Portsmouth Road car park, with lots of delicious local produce perfect for your Christmas table.”
Gordon Jackson Reply

December 2, 2020 at 10:59 am

Readers might be interested in the Surrey Hills “buy 1 in 5 pledge”. There are lots of fabulous gifts from local businesses obtainable online. https://www.surreyhills.org/surrey-hills-buy-1-in-5-pledge/
Sara Tokunaga Reply

December 2, 2020 at 3:47 pm

Not everyone, including myself, is on Facebook. Surely it would have been more inclusive to have posted this on the regular GBC website and to have put up some signs in the High Street.

A market on the 19th is much too late.
The Team at Pirbright Country Market Reply

December 2, 2020 at 8:41 pm

Pirbright Country Market will be open as usual throughout December. Thursdays: 3rd, 10th, and 17th.

We can be found at Lord Pirbrights Hall on the Green in Pirbright every Thursday between 10am and 11.15am.

Here you will find home-baked cakes and savouries, authentic Indian food, free-range eggs, fresh meat, preserves and honey together with a vast range of Christmas plants and planted arrangements. To complete your visit check out our hand made crafts and greetings cards for all occasions.

We look forward to welcoming you in our fully Covid-safe environment.
Brian Creese Reply

December 4, 2020 at 11:18 am

I also note that the North Street Market has been running Fridays and Saturdays throughout both lockdowns with no difficulties.

Brian Creese is the chair of Guildford Labour