REIGATE'S struggling farmers' market is set for a major overhaul. The town's business guild is backing a plan to rejuvenate the monthly Friday market, with new stalls, a new name and ideas to switch the day and hold it weekly.
It used to be a bustling bazaar with the smell of fresh produce from local companies wafting through Tunnel Road and High Street but in recent years the spectacle of open-air stalls stretching as far as the eye could see has been reduced to just a few canopies.
Reigate Business Guild chairman Shirley Cox said a new-look attraction could be up and running within weeks.
"It is something we need to do," she said. "It will be good for encouraging footfall into the town, it is definitely worth a try.
"It needs to be a mixed market, to fill the whole tunnel – it could even be called Tunnel Market rather than a farmers' market."
"A rejuvenated market would be good for the town," she added.
She said it may switch to a Saturday and local traders will be encouraged to take stalls.
Existing stall-holders, and a band of loyal customers, agree the market's potential remains.
"It could be lots better," said Kate Matthews who runs The Tinderbox, a special sandwich stall which has established itself at the market in the past few months. "It could be great because Reigate is a market town originally. I don't think people realise the potential; it's all locally-made produce and many of the stalls could come back if there were the customers."
Eddie Webster, along with a small group of others, has been running the Reigate Beekeepers' honey stall since the market first started.
He has seen many changes but, as one of the last remaining original stall-holders, believes the market could return to its glory days.
"We're doing very well but they need more support for the market. We've been here for ten years and we've built a loyal client base. If you don't persevere at it I don't think you'll make a living here."
On a good day, McCarthy's bread stall can still bring in the customers, but according to stallholder Lee Cotterell, good days are few and far between.
He said: "There used to be stalls all up and down here years ago but it is a struggle. This time last year we were taking £750 but so far we've taken £50. More promotion or more stalls would help."
The business guild is working with the borough council and the current market operator.
