Setting up a farmer's market

[DavL]

..no, I don't mean setting up a stall at a market. I mean setting up the whole market!

Together with people from my neighborhood I'm looking into setting up a farmers market - or rather, making the case to the council that 1) the area would benefit from it and 2) it would be feasible to do so.

I'm trying to do my homework looking into practical considerations (location, permits etc.), however there seems to be very few resources on the topic.

So my fairly broad question is, what are practical considerations to keep in mind for selecting a location and setting up a market?

assuming an external company would be tasked with running the market, what is requested from the council? I'm talking investment, workload, cleaning up of the area, etc.
In terms of location we're thinking the stretch of space before the gates of a major park,on the local high street. Generally speaking, what is required to make it market-ready?

I hope this makes some sense, please let me know if know anything!!

 

[The Byre]

1. Ask the council what they require from you.

2. Fulfil their requirements!

 

[DavL]

Dear The Byre, maybe you should read my post again.
I would like to bring a strong argument in favor of setting up a market. This involves trying to think of possible barriers ahead of conversations with the council. That's why I'm asking here

 

[Scalloway]

A guide to setting up a farmer's market.

http://www.kfma.org.uk/PDF/ManagingTheMarket/A_guide_to_setting_up_a_farmers_market.pdf

Are you planning an outdoor venue? Where I live farmer's markets are hosted by village halls.

 

[DavL]

Hi Scalloway,

Thanks, I however already found the guide - very useful!
Yes, we would be aiming for outdoor. Not sure if that makes everything easier or harder..

 

[The Byre]

Dear The Byre, maybe you should read my post again.
I would like to bring a strong argument in favor of setting up a market. This involves trying to think of possible barriers ahead of conversations with the council. That's why I'm asking here

When you are asking any local council for permission to do anything, be that planning permission for a house, a rock festival, putting up signs on lampposts, or a farmers market, they will have a list of requirements that must be fulfilled.

At that stage, it will be a box-ticking exercise. If one of those boxes is to present a case for a business or social need to be fulfilled, then you can write out why whatever it is that you want to do should be given the go-ahead, together with all the other documentation that you will be required to present.

 

[DavL]

Hi The Byre, so let me get this straight. According to you, I would go in saying "I thought it would be a good idea if there was a farmer's market on the council's park ground. This is 100% my idea. What do I need to do to make that happen?"

I think this would be met with very little desire to engage by the council. Setting up a farmer's market is nowhere on their agenda and I'm forcing them to do the legwork. Unless *I* go in with a more defined proposal, the answer I would expect to hear to the request above would be "a farmer's market is not a strategic priority for the area, but we'll let you know if that changes"

 

[The Byre]

According to you, I would go in saying "I thought it would be a good idea if there was a farmer's market on the council's park ground. This is 100% my idea. What do I need to do to make that happen?"

Yes, you got it in one!

It's just like getting planning permission for a house. You ask a low-level official for their requirements and they give them to you.

You then have to prove in writing that you can and do fulfil all those requirements.

The only time that somebody will want to talk to you is if a higher ranking official has it in her/his power to grant permission and wishes to discuss the project, or if it has to be handed over to the planning committee and they wish to hear your case in person.

 

[DavL]

I think what you suggest would make sense if I were to use a private space - however, I do think I need to get some council buy-in if we want to use a public space. After all, it's not the council's job to follow up with all crackpot ideas that the locals may have..

 

[The Byre]

Actually, that is EXACTLY what they are there for! That's why they are referred to as 'public servants'!

My wife runs a monthly bring-and-buy event in support of a political party on public land in the centre of our nearest town right on the High Street. She merely asked on the phone what was required and the official stated a proposal in writing. She did that and permission was granted.

As long as you do things in writing, you'll be OK.

 

[Newchodge]

The council is not interested in whether a farmer's market is a good idea, whether it will benefit the local economy, whether there is a need for or interest in it.

The council will have set criteria for allowing something to happen. You need to start out by finding out what those criteria are.

You don't ring the council and say can I have a farmer's market at x location, you ring and ask what their criteria are for setting up an outdoor market. Unless they ask, don't mention the location.

They should send you a set of documents setting out what you need to do. You may need planning permission, you may need to provide toilet facilities, you may need to provide parking space. You may need planning permission of some kind. You may need a licence. Each council will have its own criteria. You need to know what theirs are.

 

[ecommerce84]

From personal experience I've found that:

1. Councils are actually a lot more helpful than people give them credit for.
2. Any obstacles they throw can't always be predicted.

If I were in your shoes I think I would do as The Byre suggests and simply try and sit down and talk to someone relevant (planner, economic development officer etc). Make sure you get the right council as well - we have 3 tiers where I am - County, District and town/parish. You may find that you need to talk to a couple if one authority owns the land and another grants licenses for example.

They may also be able to help in other ways, such as a grant. Our monthly farmers market was originally set up with a council grant but I understand they are now responsible for it - although the actual management of the market lies with a private market operator who do a good job.

In all honesty, I don't think you will have too much of an issue getting it set up - towns and cities across the U.K have farmers markets every week so it's hardly unusual, eating quality local food is very much 'in', and the council(s) can be seen to be helping local business too.

Good luck.

 

[billmccallum1957]

..no, I don't mean setting up a stall at a market. I mean setting up the whole market!

Together with people from my neighborhood I'm looking into setting up a farmers market - or rather, making the case to the council that 1) the area would benefit from it and 2) it would be feasible to do so.

I'm trying to do my homework looking into practical considerations (location, permits etc.), however there seems to be very few resources on the topic.

So my fairly broad question is, what are practical considerations to keep in mind for selecting a location and setting up a market?

assuming an external company would be tasked with running the market, what is requested from the council? I'm talking investment, workload, cleaning up of the area, etc.
In terms of location we're thinking the stretch of space before the gates of a major park,on the local high street. Generally speaking, what is required to make it market-ready?

I hope this makes some sense, please let me know if know anything!!

There's simply not enough information to enable any real advice.

Too much depends on the location and the logistics of the site, vehicular access and road safety will be the first concern (access for traders vehicles, parking and pedestrian safety).

Access to the adjacent park (allowing for access for park users without causing obstruction).

Then there will be environmental issues (caused by traffic and litter).

Look on your local council web site for details of other events that have been granted permission, they will usually show the conditions attached to the permission.