Friends of Barnet Market mobilised the largest number of supporters thus far for the campaign to collect signatures for the petition calling for an improved surface.  Both the traders and their customers have found the loose, black material presently used to be uncomfortable, dirty and potentially dangerous.   Those with shopping trolleys or pushchairs find particular difficulty and reportedly, some older people, less steady on their feet, have given up coming to the Market. Despite the strength of feeling demonstrated by well over 5000 signatories to the petition, the owners of the privately-owned site show no sign of making the changes so clearly needed. The Council remain firmly supportive of the Market and together with our MP Theresa Villiers are working to find a solution which will ensure its future into the long term.

New moves can be expected in the coming months as the original planning permission for the redevelopment of the Market site expires before the end of the year.  This means that the owners may have to start work on their original scheme, apply for an extension of the existing permission, or submit completely new plans to the Council.  Does this mean that the log-jam of recent years might finally be broken.....?