As reported in the Times in December, the market was set to close after 19 years due to the council’s development work but was saved following a lot of work by stallholders, a cross-party selection of councillors, as well as British Land, owners of Royal Victoria Place where the market has a new home outside in Market Square.
Jo Jeffery from Naked & Ready foods one of the organisers of the now ‘independent’ Farmers’ Market, said preparations were going well.
“We have a full market of 25 stalls. All our stall holders have been carefully selected to give the shopper a wide range of quality local produce including meat, fish and veg, local wines and charcuterie plus lots of homemade goodies.”
She continued: “Some are regulars from the old Tunbridge Wells Farmers Market and some are new to Tunbridge Wells but all have a good following.
“We are very happy with our new location in the market square at RVP, we believe it is much better suited to a market than Civic Way because it is sheltered, has seating areas and pretty arches that provide a perfect backdrop to our market.”
She added that the launch party will feature live music from local artists and hot food so people can sit and soak up the atmosphere or talk to the traders about their products.
The launch party takes place this Saturday [March 9] and the Farmers’ Market will return on the second and fourth Saturday of every month.
