Hi all

I've dipped in and out of the Forum since moving to the borders of SE23 some time ago and find it a great resource with great contributors but have never posted - until now.

Just to say, and I have absolutely no link to anyone connected to the market whatsoever but feel moved to comment in the face of some comments I think are unreasonable to say the least, I think the Horniman Farmers Market is a brilliant addition and should be welcomed by all who care about the area improving and having more to offer. It has such a friendly community atmosphere and is perfect if like me (and many others) you like to wonder about outside buying fresh food, not least if you also have a small child (2 years old in January) to amuse on a Saturday morning! I think the Horniman Museum should also be heavily praised for this, not least as a way of attracting even more people to the museum.

Far from taking me and others from local shops I suspect if anything it actually attracts us into the area at a time when we may not otherwise be there - and indeed attracts others as I have already taken family and friends. I now often come into Forest Hill to go to the market and nearby shops rather than for example going to the park, staying at home or going to Brockley market on a saturday morning or Blackheath market on a sunday morning.

I'm all for local shops prospering and supporting them, but that's absolutely no reason not to support other new initiatives, especially ones that are a great addition. No business has the right to survive over another and I fail to see how scrapping, moving or changing the day of a new, thriving and popular market will do anything to prop up local businesses that may be struggling anyway to survive six or seven days a week.

It's understandable to be upset if you are worried about your livelihood but scapegoating a great new local market is unlikely to save it and nor is getting overly emotional or kidding youself people aren't buying your sweets because they are buying lovely sausage rolls, pies, meat (including from the Butchery) fresh veg, cake or just having a wonder around a new market.