What makes a traditional market thrive? There are around 1200 traditional markets in the UK, employing
90,000 people, with a turnover of about £1.2 billion. Two of the most successful were recognised in this year’s Food and Farming Awards. Christine Tacon, Head of Farming for the Co-op, and one of this year’s judges, visits the winner Bury Market. She meets market manager John Ayers and traders and shoppers explain what makes it so special.
Christine and fellow judge Simon Parkes also report from another finalist Queen's Market in Newham in East London, which is facing major upheaval as the Borough Council prepares to redevelop the site. They hear from traders and local people from both sides of the fence – those that want the redevelopment to go ahead and those that are opposed to it.
Sheila Dillon talks to Christine Bowman, Deputy Mayor of Newham, Tim Seddon, from the developers St Modwen, who are working with the council on the redevelopment and George Nicholson,chairman of the National Retail Planning Forum, about the future of Queen's Market and whether the current economic downturn may actually mean boom-time for markets - as shoppers are now on the look-out for good, cheap fresh food offered by many traders.
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Presenting The Food Programme has been Sheila's perfect job.