Helen, that simply isn't the case if you talk to the local shop owners, their takings are significantly down (although it might be too early to tell with Basil and Toms I can't see it going any other way), and the stall holders at the market are not local businesses, but are opportunistically harvesting the best days at the best time of year. I have no issue with, and like the market -apart from my dog getting too excited about all the food around- but I want a vibrant local street (Churchfield and the High St) and so worry about the effect of the market on excellent local shops. I think there's plenty of scope for stalls that don't compete with local businesses, and would happily spend the little money I might have at the market, call me partizan but for Butchers, Bakers, Greengrocers, Gifts etc I will continue to favour excellent local suppliers.
Jeremy Thorpe-Woods ● 2728d