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A lesson in recovery economics
School struggling with debt to host farmers’ market in bid to balance books
A CASH strapped school hopes to swap tomatoes for textbooks and carrots for calculators in a drive to help balance their books.
William Ellis School will host a weekly farmers’ market, beginning on Saturday 27th.
The school, in Highgate Road, faced a huge budget deficit earlier this year when it emerged a finance bungle meant they had slipped into the red to the tune of what sources say was around £500,000.
After being used as a film location over the summer, the school is now set to receive a windfall after agreeing to allow the London Farmers’ Market company to use its playground, which backs onto Parliament Hill Fields.
Newly appointed head Robbie Cathcart said: “[The market] is part of the plan to put the school’s finances back on an even keel. Maximising our assets in terms of our site adds to the resources available to help us ensure the boys can achieve their very best at the school.
“Our intention is to balance our budget as quickly as possible, then we can do all the things everyone wants us to do.”
Budget problems followed a misunderstanding between the school and the Town Hall over who was responsible for paying for a new heating system. The school had to make staff redundant, and headteacher Richard Tanton stepped down from his post soon after the funding black hole became public.
London Farmers’ Market run 15 similar events across London each week.
They include a market at Swiss Cottage, and the group was also behind a market in a primary school in Primrose Hill, which closed after the school had crucial building works.
Market manager Cheryl Cohen said the farmers came from within a 100-mile radius of the M25 and had all been carefully vetted.
Most come from counties such as East Sussex, Kent and Surrey.
As well as vegetables and herbs, the market will include fish, game, beef, lamb, bio-dynamically grown fruit and a large range of cheeses.
Ms Cohen said: “They are all farmers or people who grow their own produce. The school are delighted to have us and we feel this offers something unique to the community.”‘
However, some local stores fear it will take customers away from them.
Mike Sham of Claude’s Greengrocers in nearby Swains Lane said he feared a drop in trade.
He said: “We were not asked our views on this and we do fear the extra competition might hurt, but we won’t know for sure until it starts.”
But other traders backed the school.
John Grayson, who set up Bumblebee in Brecknock Road and now runs Natural Earth Foods in Kentish Town Road welcomed the market.
He said: “It may bring in extra customers.” |
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Your comments:
THIS is fantastic news for people in the area who want to buy really fresh produce - a big thank you to William Ellis school for opening their doors to meet local needs.
A. Wason
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