18/09/2026
Staplehurst market
‼️MARKET UPDATE ‼️
I am sorry it has taken me so long to update but I was hoping to bring better news. I was contacted on 3rd July by a newly appointed trustee for the Community Centre who suggested we meet to try and resolve the issues surrounding the hire of the Community Centre. I immediately agreed and said I would welcome that discussion either in person or by email. Unfortunately, despite chasing this I have had no further communication since.
The lack of communication from trustees has contributed in no small part to the situation we are currently in and Im afraid it continues.
I have been contacted by other community groups and businesses who have stopped using the centre due to the exact same issues as us. Problems with hire fees, poor management of the hall and any queries or complaints are met with either hostility or no response at all.
The more time that passes, the more difficult it will be to bring the market back to Staplehurst. Thank you for all of your lovely messages and suggestions of new venues where it could be held. I am afraid it is not as simple as you might think to set up from scratch somewhere else, and as the market is run only by me, it isn't something I have the time do on top of work, life etc!
Ultimately I will have to make a final decision about the market's future shortly as I need to organise my own time as well as our traders who are patiently waiting to find out if they can return. When I do make that decision I will post it here. Thank you again for all of your support. Gemma
