Wirral Farmers Market’s future is secure, says secretary

Jun 8 2011 By Liam Murphy

THE secretary of Wirral Farmers Market last night assured traders and customers that its future is secure and it will continue despite a rent rise.

Fears were raised after the New Ferry-based market’s committee member, Clive Ransom, quit over the increase from £75 to £200 a month.

Mr Ransom also said it was unfair some people were being "both landlord and tenant, hiking up rents" in the interests of New Ferry Village Hall, the market’s base, which is being transferred from Wirral Council ownership to be run by the community.

But Mark Ireland-Jones, secretary of the committee, said the market can afford the rent increase and it would help secure the hall’s future.

He said: "The farmers market was set up as a community project to help New Ferry.

"The hall is moving from council ownership to the community. This is a good use of our money because it supports the hall, which is a great asset for the community."

Mr Ireland-Jones said there had been "a lot of discussion" among committee members about the rent increase, but they had voted in favour because it would fit in with the remit of the market’s community focus.

He also said concerns about a "conflict of interest" raised by Mr Ransom over some people sitting on both farmers market and village hall committees were unfounded.

He said: "The farmers market and village hall are run by volunteers and we are asking people to give up their time to do that.

"There is a shortage of people to do these things and there are bound to be overlaps.

"Everyone knows who is on which committee and we have seen this as a way for the two organisations to work better together.

"Also people on both committees do not vote on issues if there might be a conflict."

The farmers market, which is held each month, has gone from strength to strength since it began in 2000, picking up a prestigious award from Radio Four in 2007.

It next takes place at New Ferry Village Hall this Saturday from 9am to 1pm.