Farmers’ market hit by plans for G7 protests
THE organisers of Truro Farmers Market have expressed bitter disappointment after their biggest event of the year was cancelled because the venue was chosen as a designated G7 protest spot.
With the market doing well as coronavirus restrictions relax and tourists return, market chairman Graham Bradshaw and the other organisers had planned ahead to capitalise on the spotlight Cornwall was going to get next month.
A five-day-long summer market was booked to be held in Truro’s Lemon Quay, the regular spot for the market, on June 9-13, which would include the G7 weekend. The idea, Mr Bradshaw said, was to give traders another uplift after a tough year.
He said: “We wanted the five-day summer special, with extra days to bring in the extra people visiting Cornwall. With the publicity of G7, people can’t, and don’t want to, go near St Ives or Carbis Bay. They could come to Truro, it’d help the city, the shops, and our traders.”
After booking the venue in January, lining up 44 traders, and having spent time getting advertisements ready to go, the market was told with just over a month to go that they could no longer use Lemon Quay. The area had been chosen as a designated protest spot for the G7 leaders’ summit.
Instead of the market’s regular venue, in central Truro next to the water – they were offered half of a nearby car park at Garras Wharf.
With this alternative venue not being considered suitable, and nowhere else to be found with just weeks to go, Mr Bradshaw said the event is as good as dead.
He said: “It’s logistically not right, and with so many protestors expected in the city it is probably an invitation for customers to stay away.” He added: “For our lot, G7 was going to be an opportunity. But it really hasn’t hit the button for us.”
As well as traders losing out on the market’s cancellation, barring the possibility of an extra-long Wednesday market ahead of the weekend, Mr Bradshaw said it has a knock-on effect on those businesses connected with the planned five-day event.
Two Truro City Councillors have written to the UK Cabinet Office airing their concerns more broadly about Lemon Quay being chosen.
Councillor Stuart Roden wrote: “This is a wholly inappropriate site in the middle of a commercial market town.” Councillor Thomas Mainwaring-Evans added: “I think the location is flawed and that this decision is particularly harsh on the local businesses which could be greatly impacted.”
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “As part of the planning process, police proposed a number of possible protest sites to partner agencies. The proposed sites were based on a number of criteria including ease of access, impact on local communities and capacity.
“The details of these sites were then discussed between agencies prior to a recommendation being made.”
A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “As with all aspects of the G7 preparations, we have worked with our colleagues in the police and other organisations on this issue to provide feedback and information wherever relevant.
“The council has been consulted fully throughout the process, and we support the sites chosen as the best available in the circumstances.”