I READ with some disquiet the recent article in the Tavistock Times in which some criticism was expressed of the standard of the traders in the Pannier Market.

It was reported in the paper that ‘a resident’ had told the new chair of the Properties Committee Cllr Colin Rogers, that, recently, the standard of trading stalls had fallen in the market.

I await the full minutes of the Properties Committee meeting, but I would have thought that the comment of one resident, however well researched, was a likely to be rather poor guide to what was actually happening in the market.

As a market trader of many years’ standing I am not aware of many councillors making many visits to talk to traders and to find out for themselves how things are really doing in the market. And with Julia Whitcomb as one notable exception,  I cannot recall a single councillor introducing himself or herself to me to ask how I thought things were going.

As an ex-school teacher familiar with the extremely active interest in the daily running of schools shown by almost all school governors, I find this disappointing in itself. If councillors would visit the market and talk to traders as well as the odd resident I think they would find it useful. They might find ways in which they could support the market as well as condemn it,

With regards to what is actually happening in the market, I am sure that  Cllr Rogers, like his ‘resident’ is probably aware that many high street retailers are suffering as the internet claims trade, and as large edge of town supermarkets are built in ever increasing numbers to compete with town centre traders. 

I know that many market traders share this pressure and  are finding things difficult despite the heroic efforts of the immediate management of the market to support them. 

Most traders have to bring in stock and take it away the same day.  It isn’t easy to do this, and they work until 4.30 pm before they can even think about packing up. A lot of traders do this week in week out throughout the year, and yet barely cover the cost of their tables on some of the worst days.

I know some traders who do stock good, attractive, saleable items, and are looking for alternative ways of selling.  Quite a few have left to make more use of the internet. And a few others have given up altogether. But still many good traders remain, people who put great effort into finding attractive things to sell, people who put a lot of effort into displaying their wares, and people who get up very early, set up interesting  and complex stalls quickly, and spend their days talking to customers and visitors in a way that all who do come to the market seem to appreciate. 

I know many visitors to the town comment on the interest, attractiveness, and friendliness of the market.

The Pannier Market is a great asset to the town and it needs the active, and informed, support of the council, not hasty criticism.

It is 6am on a Saturday morning as I finish writing this.  I am sure most councillors are safely asleep in their beds.  Yet most of today’s market traders are up and dressed and packing their wares ready for the market! Some will already be driving from far away to get there. Spare a thought for them when you wake.

Andrew Burch