Why…………? Why not………..?

Why is the market not held in Devonshire Square ?
Why is it not held every week ?
Why is it not open all day ?
These questions are frequently asked at the market and via the letters page of the Bexhill Observer.

A survey of regular stallholders reveals that the majority prefer to be inside for the following reasons:
• To hold a market in Devonshire Square would incur the cost of regular removal of one of the “balls”………..a cost which would inevitably be passed on to stallholders
• Stallholders would have to provide their own stalls and covers since there is no other provision available.
• To hold an outdoor market in the summer power would be required for refrigeration/cooling. In the winter the market might have to be cancelled in adverse weather conditions.

Additionally, stallholders already contribute towards costs of insurance, affiliation, hire and other expenses and the organizers do not feel they can be asked for more.
To maintain the standard of the market each month we buy in bread as a loss leader. Even if all the bread is sold we do not make enough profit to pay for a stall or for someone to sell it. This is a voluntary service.
Some producers, having grown and transported their produce and paid staff to sell it still only make £125.00 in a morning after costs
A Local Farmers’ Market producer must live within 50 miles of the market. This limits the potential number of stallholders and as most visit many other markets in the area they could not visit Bexhill on a Saturday, as suggested, or every week.
An experiment to prolong the market hours resulted in just 2 additional customers.

The Bexhill clientele enjoy meeting up with friends at the market, taking their time, buying in small quantities. Whatever the weather there is the opportunity to sit down and relax

Since Bexhill Farmers’ Market started in 2002 many markets have opened and closed in the area. We have 4 stalls which have been with us since then and thanks to loyal support from them and our other stallholders and the public our market continues to survive.
It is very pleasing that our stallholders have voted Bexhill Market as one of the friendliest they attend.
Our market supports Fair Trade and local small producers.
Use it or lose it.