CONCERN has been raised by traders in Launceston about the impact a market gardener trading in the town square has on their business.

Carol Meakin, who along with her daughter, is the owner of Launceston Florists in the White Hart Arcade.

She initially wrote a letter to the town clerk about the situation, and attended the town council meeting on January 15.

In the public participation section of the meeting, Mrs Meakin said: “I recently submitted a letter to the council, a letter of concern. It was a concern regarding the fruit and veg gentleman who comes to the town on Thursdays.

“We were delighted that he was going to come and do fruit and veg and I think it would be an asset to the town. My concern is, he’s not just doing that. He’s selling home grown flowers and potted plants.

“There are three florists in the town and they all sell flowers and potted plants but we don’t grow those, we have to get them from our wholesaler so it’s not even a fair competition.”

She added: “Every week it’s increasing. Last week he had tables and tables of plants and flowers. We couldn’t sell flowers at what he’s practically giving them away for. We pay an awful lot of rent and over heads. I feel we are at an unfair disadvantage.”

In response, Cllr Paula Bullen said the matter was raised at the finance meeting in December, and added: “I agree, fruit and veg is fantastic, just what we need, as long as he doesn’t start to impinge on any local businesses.”

Cllr Bullen said she had spoken with the other florists in the town, who agreed the selling of fruit and veg is fine, but not cut flowers and potted plants.

Cllr Helen Bailey, a representative of Launceston Chamber of Commerce, said: “We should support local businesses. It’s nice to have other things that we can’t buy in our local shops, but that stall has crept and crept and it’s getting bigger. I do agree that we should support that the gentleman is allowed to come and sell fruit and vegetables. We don’t want any more empty shops.”

Cllr Leighton Penhale added: “We represent the people of the town, the traders of the town. How we resolve it, I don’t know.”

Cllr John Conway said he had an opposing view, and noted that if the gentleman sells plants he has grown, that’s not a problem, as he has done the work.

“We are benefitting from a person having fresh fruit and veg in the town which he might not be able to do if he didn’t sell cut flowers. This town has a long history of people selling home grown produce.”

Mayor of Launceston, Cllr Margaret Young noted the the clerk has replied to Mrs Meakin’s letter, informing her that the town council had spoken with the stall holder to ask him not to stock wreaths and trees.

She added: “It’s where we go from here. My feeling is if we talk to him again, we’re going to lose him completely. We either have fruit and veg or not in the square on Thursday.”

Cllr Dave Gordon, deputy mayor, drew people’s attention to the last paragraph of the clerk’s letter, which stated that he would continue to monitor the situation and ensure that only agreed goods are available for sale.

“It just needs monitoring.”

Cllr Rob Tremain said: “We have always been supportive of our traders but market traders, singly or in groups, are good for the town as well. In some ways they’re the lifeblood of the town. I’d be happy for the town council monitoring the situation. It would be a shame to lose him as a fruit and veg man.”

Cllr Conway felt that the draw of having fresh fruit and veg could bring people into the town, which would be a benefit to the other traders.

“It’s bringing people in on the quietest day. You can almost fire a 12 bore up the main street. If people are in town they have a chance of spending money in the shops. If they’re not in town, they’re not.”

It was proposed and carried that the trader continue selling fruit and vegetables and shrubs in the town.