Council says permission has not been granted for market move

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Exclusive: On Tuesday I reported that Alderley Edge Farmers' Market had been granted permission to relocate to the village centre, however I have since been informed by Cheshire East Council (CEC) that this is not the case.

Christine Munro, who has been running the farmers' market for the past 14 years, attended the Alderley Edge Parish Council meeting on Monday, 9th September, and told councillors that all the issues have been resolved and CEC have agreed that the monthly market can set up their stalls on the pavement outside the shops on London Road.

However, CEC have since been in touch to say that permission has not been granted.

A spokesperson for Cheshire East Council said: "Talks were held earlier in the year about the possibility of holding a farmers' market on London Road. During our discussions with Christine Munro, in early July, the Council advised her that her proposal would not be acceptable.

"Unfortunately Ms Munro appears to have taken a comment, made by our legal department, out of context and told the parish council that she had the approval of Cheshire East Council.

"We regret that we were not consulted before the matter went before the parish council this week. However, we have now clarified our position with both Ms Munro and Alderley Edge Parish Council. Permission has not been granted to hold a farmers' market on London Road."

Speaking about the confusion Christine Munro told me "I assumed having ticked all the boxes and done all they'd asked me to that I could go ahead."

She explained "Initially I was given permission from Diane Smith of Macclesfield Borough Council to hold a market at Matthews Garden Centre in Nether Alderley. In 2005 the market was moved to the Festival Hall in Alderley Edge. Macclesfield Borough Council were notified of the move. Last year the market moved to Aldeli.

"I have been corresponding with Diane Smith, Town Centre Manager, and latterly with Andrew Latham, Cheshire East Events Manager, and Fiona Crane of the legal team, regarding relocating the market onto the private land owned by the businesses on London Road in Alderley Edge.

"I was told by Diane Smith that I needed to get permission to put gazebos on the private land owned by the businesses, and also get their support for the market. I visited all the shops and businesses in the village with a questionnaire and the questions I asked were: 1. Would you like the Alderley Edge Farmers' Market to be sited on London Road? 2. Would you be in agreement to a gazebo being placed on the pavement in front of your shop? and 3. Would you like to open and take part in the market?

"43 shops and businesses said Yes to the first question. 12 answered Yes to the second question. (As I was thinking of using the footpath on the precinct side of London Road for the market then the answer to this question wasn't relevant to traders on the other side of the road so they answered 'not applicable' to this question.) 17 answered Yes to the third question.

"Other traders said they would consider opening on the day providing the footfall was sufficient to justify it. Several traders suggested that a section of London Road be closed on market day so that customers would have easy access to shops on both sides of the road."

Christine continued "Diane said I would also need the support of local people and the Parish Council. I have received messages, telephone calls and also been stopped in the street by local people asking me when the market would be starting again.

"On Monday 9th September I attended the Alderley Edge Parish Council with my proposal for the market. As far as I was aware I had complied with all Cheshire Easts requests, the only one remaining was the support of the Parish Council. I produced to the Chairman the emails I had received from Diane Smith and Fiona Crane.

"At the Parish Council meeting the Councillors wished me well with the market, although one Councillor mentioned that I might find I had competition from other market organisers who may run markets on other days.

"As Diane had been instructed not to deal with me and Fiona had no instructions to do further work on the market matter I spoke to Andrew Latham Cheshire East Events Manager to ask his advice.

"I also asked the advice of my local solicitor to enquire if I needed permission from Cheshire East to hold a market if the gazebos were going to be placed on private land owned by the businesses on London Road. I was told provided I had permission from the business Cheshire East shouldn't be involved.

"I had complied with all the requests from Cheshire East and because of this I understood that I could go ahead."

Speaking about the future of the Alderley Edge Farmers' Market, which Christine had planned to hold in the village centre on Sunday 13th October, Christine said "I just don't know."

Tags:
Alderley Edge Farmers Market
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