Fears for future of farmers’ market

rganisers of a successful farmers’ market claim half its income will be lost if permission to sell produce in a Highland town is refused.

The Cairngorms Farmers’ Market (CFM) has run regular markets in the Square at Grantown for three years, selling locally-produced meat, fish and crafts.

But it could now be forced out of the Strathspey town because council planners believe the event may ruin the grass in the historic square. Officials are recommending that the CFM’s application to use the site between May and September be rejected by the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey planning review committee on Tuesday.

CFM organiser Fiona Young said that the decision could mean that local producers lose valuable income and could potentially lead to the end of the markets.

Most of the organisation’s events are held at Aviemore and Grantown, which is one of their most lucrative venues.

She said if the Grantown markets were lost, then producers would inevitably consider pulling out altogether because they would lose a hefty chunk of their income.

Ms Young said: “We’re not going to give up but I think that if we do not get Grantown markets then folding is definitely a possibility.”

Ms Young said the CFM also faced increased costs because it needed a separate licence for each venue used during the year.

The reason given by planners is the same as that used in the refusal of permission to a trader who applied to stage markets at Grantown.

In February, councillors said that Robert Adams’ plans for a regular market selling clothing, footwear and mobile phones would damage the vitality and viability of the town centre.

Mr Adams appealed to the Scottish Government but Reporter Douglas Hope rejected the appeal.

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