I think we all need to calm down a little (especially P1971) but recognise that for some people this is more than just about having a nice market, it is about their business, their living, and that of their neighbours.

I'm fully in favour of a market at the Horniman, I think I have already said it is a lovely venue for a farmers market, and there is some great produce. But let's look at the other side as well, many people said they would like a real greengrocer in Forest Hill - well that simply isn't going to happen with a successful farmers' market every week. Not a problem because we don't have one, but make no mistake - we never will. A greengrocer with the fixed overheads of rent, staff, and rates cannot compete with a guy with a wheelbarrow at the end of the road, or the much more business savvy farmers' market traders of today with low overheads, flexible staff costs, no reason to open on quiet weekdays, and lower stock levels.

So the market for vegetables has changed over the last 30 years, from when there were three greengrocers in Forest Hill, to supermarkets only, and now Londoners have rediscovered the value and enjoyment of buying from markets (something unheard of to the middle classes of the 1980s).

It is a similar situation music; gone are the independent record shops, gone are the big name high street retailers or music, now music is bought on the Internet (or so I'm told, I've never really bought music). But I'm wandering off topic.

A market certainly brings people to an area but the challenge is to use that footfall to support local businesses rather than undermine them. I know that Lee and Emma are very aware of this challenge and have the fine line to balance of running a successful market and supporting local businesses - and I think we can all appreciate that this is not an easy balance to strike.

The question is what can the high street traders do to encourage more footfall on London Road and Dartmouth Road, and what can the Horniman and the market do to support their efforts. It isn't a simple question and their isn't one simple answer but I hope that when we all sit down together, as is planned, that we can find some ways we can improve the situation.

The obvious message to the rest of us is to shop locally or risk losing the shops. That applies to the market and to the high street. If you haven't ever shopped on Dartmouth Road then I would urge you to consider a walk down it during shopping hours or to find somewhere different for weekend lunch. We are very lucky with some of the shops that are present; card shops, gift shops, coffee shops, art galleries, boutiques, a florist, a butcher, a swimming pool and many more.

Forest Hill has done a lot to attract new businesses to the high street in the last year. Many of the shops are still new and don't have national chains supporting them. They will close if people don't visit them.

In my experience it is never to early to do a spot of Seasonal/Christmas shopping and the best place to start is your local high street (rather than leaving it until the last minute and ending up relying on Amazon or a horribly crowded shopping centre). Enjoy shopping locally at the Horniman and on the high street!