A guest post from Chris Elder of City & Country Farmers Markets, a family owned and run business which organises regular farmers’ markets and seasonal fine food and craft fairs where items are sold by the producer or artisan direct to the public.
It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add your name to this petition because: Hammersmith and Fulham Council want to takeover this Thursday Farmers Market that has been running very successfully for over 10 years.
They say their decision is purely commercial – it is absolutely extraordinary that a current administration at the Town Hall want to get into the business of farmers’ markets! What do they know about farmers’ market? This market has the support of all of it’s stallholders – they do not want the council to takeover the market!
The market is probably the busiest and best weekday food market in London that attracts over 3,500 people every Thursday in the heart of Hammersmith Broadway in Lyric Square.
The organiser has painstakingly brought together a group of stallholders who produce some pretty fantastic food and local produce and to have this taken away will have serious implications not only for people who use the market but for areas around the country who have similar markets, if other councils decide to do the same.
The existing organiser has award winning food and craft markets that run very successfully all over London, therefore they have expertise to continue to run this market and Hammersmith and Fulham Council do not, despite what they might say.
Already the market has had great support from local councillors and businesses, therefore we urge you to sign this petition to give the market the best possible chance!
Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach heaps of people and help create change around this important issue.
Hammersmith and Fulham Forum 
This food market on Thursday is one of the few things on a pretty downbeat and shabby King Street that actually lifts the spirits. If it ain’t broke, why try to ‘fix’ it?
Can we have some specifics of what LBHF wishes to do with the market? What will change and what will remain as is? What are the concerns of the Council? Let’s hear both sides.
What we have in Lyric Square on a Thursday at the moment is not what I would describe as a farmers market. It is simply a collection of fast food stalls for office workers. If the council can improve it that would be good, but I’m not holding my breath.
It is currently not legally a farmer’s market. FARMA should be asked to manage it. They only run genuine farmers markets with real farmers, and home produced food only.