Camden News: Claude Bonello | Swains Lane | Market | William Ellis School

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Camden News - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 26 February 2009

Claude Bonello

‘Farmers market could finish me’

Greengrocer says stalls are hitting trade

HE has faced down Tesco’s multi-billion-pound empire and battled Camden Council over charges for displaying his fruit on the pavement outside his shop. But now Highgate greengrocer Claude Bonello fears the lure of posh bangers and muddy spuds from a nearby farmers’ market may finally finish off his business.
Claude, who has run his fruit and vegetable shop in Swains Lane for more than 20 years, has seen his trade fall dramatically since the market began running last year in the playground at William Ellis School.
He is urging the market’s organisers to transfer their weekly trading day to Sundays to help offset the effect the stalls of produce direct from the growers are having on shops.
Claude said: “We have been squeezed from every angle recently, from a new Tesco to Camden Council trying to charge me for putting my goods out the front.
“We thought this was bad – until this market started trading on Saturdays.
“We have seen our takings fall by at least 50 per cent since it opened.
“People are just no longer doing the shopping they used to on Saturdays, and it is not just my business that has been hit.
“Everyone along the parade says trade has fallen off since the farmers came to town.”
The London Farmers’ Market hold weekly sales right across the capital.
Farmers come from within 100 miles of the sites and the vast range of food on offer means the William Ellis market is bustling for the four trading hours it opens. Stalls include such staples as cheese makers, poultry, eggs, bread and fresh fish, while more exotic offerings include posh sausages with trendy stuffings, pickles, home-made tomato sauces and dried fruit.
And the school, which has experienced debt problems, also makes cash. Its parents and teachers association run a tea stall while the school also receives rent.
Cheryl Cohen, of the London Farmers’ Market, said she had attempted to speak to shop managers in Swains Lane before the market opened.
She added: “The fact is we are open for four hours a week and Claude stocks lots of things we do not sell. There is no reason we can’t complement each other.”

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