The information is as follows:
“Planning Policy Statement 6—Town Centres” acknowledges the role of street markets:
“Street and covered markets (including farmers' markets) can make a valuable contribution to local choice and diversity in shopping as well as the vitality of town centres and to the rural economy”.
Draft “PPS4—Planning for Prosperous Economies”, underlines this.
In March 2009 CLG and DEFRA issued a joint statement to the Select Committee on Retail Markets:
“The Government recognises the valuable contribution that street, covered and farmers' markets can make to local choice and diversity in shopping, as well as to the vitality of town centres and the wider rural economy.”
The 2009 CLG report “Looking After Our Town Centres” refers to the contribution street markets can play in vibrant town centres.
In May 2009 the then the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, (Mr. Wright) met with the National Association of British Market Authorities to hear about the role markets play in local economies.