Adderbury’s Farmer’s Market will not return

The pandemic is blamed for changing people’s shopping habits and making surviving traders rethink their priorities

The organisers of Adderbury’s Farmer’s Market have decided to end their monthly event.   They say the change in people’s shopping habits, coupled with the affect the pandemic has had on traders, has led to the decision.

The market last opened its doors at the Institute in Adderbury in March 2020, ahead of the first COVID lockdown.

Organisers had been hoping to make a return during the spring.   They said: “The whole essence of our unique Thursday night indoor market – loads of stallholders packed into the Institute, as many customers as we could fit in, a lively bar and excellent meals – was exactly what the pandemic prevented everyone from doing.

“The knock-on from that is that markets now are much thinner in terms of stallholders and customers – Deddington is a good example.  The surviving stallholders have to be certain that the markets they do attend give them a good payback.

“Customers have become more attuned to home deliveries, and ever more price conscious. So, two hours on a Thursday evening in a crowded room was much less attractive – and bringing their own outside stalls not an option for them.”

A number of the market’s regular traders had been contacted but couldn’t be persuaded to return.

Adderbury Farmer’s Market has been running for the 10 years, raising funds for local good causes as a bonus to providing a popular monthly event.  Annually they donated over £1,000 to local charities and groups.

An organiser said: “Thanks to the great people who have worked so hard to bring the market to Adderbury every month – and to all those regular customers for their support.”

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Published: 31/03/2022 10:30am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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