Despite Bovey Tracey Community Forum Farmers' and Producers' market holding its last market on Saturday, the town will still have one, stallholders stated this week.
Traders will continue the market under the title Bovey Tracey Farmers' and Producers' market, and will hold the next one on October 7. The number of stalls has dwindled, but Robert Bray, who sells fruit and vegetables, is confident that the market, which has been running for five years, has a bright future. 'The amount of stalls were going down, but we are sure we can build it back up. We have already had interest from people wanting to set up a stall. We hope it will be bigger and better than ever before,' he said.
'The market brings a lot of people into the town and not to have one would be a disaster for businesses.' Another trader, Marion Carpenter, who sells meat from Dartmoor, said that the market was good for the town. 'The way forward is to attract more stallholders and hope more people will visit.'
Local entrepreneur Yvonne Nicholls, who hopes to be a stallholder, believed farmers' markets can help create a community spirit. 'Thanks to favourable press and TV programmes such as river Cottage, farmers' markets have grown in popularity,' she said. 'However, any farmers' market can only succeed, in my opinion, if three factors are in place.
'The stalls have to see quality local produce, local shops and businesses must approve of the market and the general public must also support the market.
'I have been told by several Bovey Tracey retailers that they like the market because the town becomes more lively and it brings more people into the town. Cllr Tina Richardson, who was a member of the now-disbanded Bovey Tracey Community Forum Farmers' and Producers' Market, said: 'I believe the market will be run by the traders and I wish them luck.' To find out more about becoming a stallholder, call 01626 833232.