ON A dreary Friday in January I don`t suppose you can expect much, but what has happened to the market in Above Bar Southampton?

A pitiful arrangement of those offering food and a few others selling fancy goods!

Back in the ‘50s and ‘60s and even unto the ‘80s, Kingsland was the place for a proper market. Those of a certain age can recall that most things could be bought there and it thrived until its demise and destruction.

Nowadays we have pop-up “markets” of sorts that don`t seem to be a patch on those from the past!

All over Europe and in some areas of the UK, weekly markets flourish, many in purpose-built areas, with restaurants and cafes available alongside stalls, creating a vibrant community and commerce area, but it seems Southampton doesn’t have the yearning for a proper market and the pop-up variety continue, but fluctuate depending on the weather.

At £60 a pitch, I suspect that might have a bearing on stallholders opting not to come, especially in inclement conditions. That is quite a cut from potential expenses and profits!

I honestly feel that markets in the right area would complement the city. We have farmers’ markets occasionally, but it really could do with a new look.

As to the provision of markets within the city, hopefully we can come up with a better option than we currently have.

Richard A Jacob

Southampton