During October a public consultation was undertaken about whether to expand this market from 20 to 30 pitches, add Sundays or keep it as it is now.

At the time I asked whether we could increase the Saturday market from 20 to 40 pitches which would have required closing Northcross Road between lordship Lane and Nutfield Road. The administration and officers decided they only wanted to ask about increasing to 40 stalls.

I had imagined that Sunday opening would be strongly opposed by residents affected – certainly nearby residents have brought up the disturbance when I’ve visited them. But of the 2,000 paper surveys 89 only were returned another 250 were completed online which seems rather curious. Unfortunately the online survey didn’t ask for names or addresses but I’ve been assured that via the IP addresses they must have largely been local residents.

Of the 339 responses 2/3rds were in favour of the market opening on Sundays. I’m genuinely surprised. A higher proportion agreed with increasing the stall numbers to 30.

The licensing committee this Wednesday will decide.

If you think it shouldn’t open on Sunday or only if later in the day from current early hours start please let me know.