Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has warmly welcomed the news that much needed improvements to Barnet Market have been granted planning permission by Barnet Council.
Theresa has been campaigning for many years to save Barnet Market. She strongly supported the proposals put forward by the market’s previous owners, UBS, to improve market facilities. These proposals were taken up by new owners, William Pears, who submitted the successful planning application.
Theresa said: “This is great news for the market. The deteriorating environment for stallholders and customers has been deeply damaging. I strongly urged William Pears to press ahead with the improvements proposed by former owners, UBS, and I am delighted that they have now secured planning permission.”
“The William Pears proposals for the market, approved by the Council, include a new surface and replacement of the increasingly dilapidated hoardings with post and rail fencing. Both of these are absolutely essential to the future of the market. The uneven surface at the market site is very problematic, particularly for the elderly, and must be replaced.”
“The market has been a part of our community for over 600 years. With the right facilities, it could once again become a thriving hub for our town centre, bringing in shoppers from miles around. The approval of this planning application brings that a step closer.”
“I will be keeping up the pressure to get these upgrades delivered. We have had many false starts with the market in the past. Hopes have been raised and then dashed. I will continue to work with the Friends of Barnet Market to secure the long term future of the market and to see it realise its full potential.”
Under the William Pears plans, the market will continue to take place each Wednesday and Saturday and the site will be used as a pay and display car park for the other days of the week, providing 47 new parking spaces. The site will be resurfaced. Electricity and security lighting will also be supplied for market vendors, as well as other facilities such as a mess room, office and secure storage space. The existing hoardings will be removed and replaced with post and rail fencing.