Farnham councillors cooking up plans to revitalise 'sad' farmer's market

Farnham’s biggest culinary event may be on the move – but the farmer’s market is staying put with councillors keen to give the latter a little more “oomph”.

Farnham Town Council is cooking up plans to generate fresh interest in the farmer’s market amid talk of falling footfall at the monthly event.

Members of the FTC Culture & Business Working Group talked about the market’s future separately in a discussion about events held in the Central Car Park.

There was discussion on whether the car park setting was reducing footfall and visitor experience at the market held on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Suggestions to refresh the market included a “stronger visual promotion” and permanent or temporary flags, bunting or signage. Improved seating, breakfast-focused marketing and an effort to make the market “feel like an event rather than a simple shopping stop” were also suggested with FTC officers agreeing to investigate.

“What I remember most when I first came to Farnham is that you could go to the Farmer’s Market and get amazing food,” said Cllr Kika Mirylees, group lead, at the recent full council meeting.

“It’s just getting a bit sad so if we could give that ‘oomph’ it would be a good thing to do.”

While councillors agreed the farmer’s market should continue because of its history, the axe is set to fall on some other Central Car Park markets as they’ve become “stale”.

There was also some tasty debate about the food festival with the focus of the September 27 festival shifting to The Borough, East Street and Brightwells because of ongoing work on Castle Street.

The council was keen to close The Borough, despite pleas to reconsider because of traffic management, as it means the festival would retain a town centre presence and links with businesses and sponsors, like The Bush Hotel.