DONEGAL Town council is set to axe the town’s famous farmers market in a row over ‘foreign’ goods.
Businesses in the town claim produce other than that grown locally is being sold at some stalls – and is therefore in breach of the spirit of the market.
Council officials are set to act on the complaints, donegaldaily has learned.
And if produce other than that grown locally – or which competes against rate-paying established businesses – stall owners could be removed or the entire market closed down.
A council source told us: “It is now clear that the original farmers market idea has been expanded to goods which go against the spirit of what the market should be.
“Inspections will be carried out and orders issued against any stalls in breach of the market’s original plan.”
The council held a private meeting yesterday and have agreed with the complaint made by a local businessman.
The farmers market in the Diamond is due to go ahead tomorrow but council officials will be there to monitor what is being sold.
The Mayor of Donegal Town Tom Connaghan says that in his opinion the current market “is not a real farmers market.”
Concerning the above article.
A complaint was made by one business in the Town. The complaint was made against a charity stall which was selling donated goods to raise funds for “Noah’s Ark” – an African Wildlife Reserve – which two local girls were going to. Another of the “foreign” stalls complained about was a charity stall selling fair trade Vietnamese Silks to raise funds for an Orphanage in Vietnam.
Since the creation of the Farmers’ Market it has been policy to provide a free stall to local charities and voluntary organisations to raise funds and promote their activities. Under the rules agreed between the Donegal Town Community Chamber, the Farmers’ Market Group and the County Council, Charity stalls would be exempt from the same rules that govern food and craft producers on the Market. All the other 20 stall holders produce their own ffod and craft products. Most of whom are being supported through the back to work scheme which assists unemployed local people create their own businesses.
The Mayor of Donegal Town is now trying to reverse from his remarks concerning the Farmers’ Market, following a huge outcry in the Town.
A local campaign has begun to put pressure on the Council to protect this famous Market rather than close it. Calls have been made for the single business complainant to withdraw his complaint and instead work with the local community to resolve any issues he may have.