VILLIERS WELCOMES LIFE-LINE FOR BARNET MARKET

MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, has welcomed a decision by Cllr Lynne Hillan, Deputy Leader of Barnet Council to authorise an extension of Barnet Market's lease to trade from Stapylton Road car park for a further three years.

The long-term future of Barnet Market has been uncertain ever since it was moved from its original home in St. Albans Road so that its owners, Nigel and Melanie Walsh, could redevelop the site. Their plans included new facilities for the market. Unfortunately, the credit crunch meant work on the redevelopment could not go ahead as planned. A few weeks ago, hopes were raised of a return to St Alban’s Road when Mr and Mrs Walsh re-surfaced the site, only to be dashed again with the news that the new surface was not suitable for market use.

In the meantime, the formal lease of the Stapylton Road car park expired. Although the market carried on there as normal, its status there became even more precarious.

Theresa Villiers visited the market on Saturday to discuss the situation with the traders and with Chris Nightingale of the “Friends of Barnet Market”.

Theresa said, “The decision by Cllr Mike Freer and Cllr Lynne Hillan to throw Barnet market a life-line with a reduced rent and the option of another three years at Stapylton Road is hugely welcome. Although the car park is not an ideal home for the market, this latest news does at least buy the market some time whilst progress is made in finding it a permanent home.”

“After so many false starts, the market now has some breathing space, during which time I will continue to work closely with local group ‘Friends of Barnet Market’, community groups, stall holders and the market’s owners to reach the best possible solution that will secure its long-term future.”

“In the meantime, I would encourage as many of my constituents as possible to visit the market and include it in their shopping choices. It has been a much valued part of our community for hundreds of years and one of the best ways to support it is to use it.”

Cllr Hillan’s decision to allow the traders to stay on at Stapylton Road follows on from the earlier one made by the leader of the Council, Mike Freer, to reduce the rent charged.