The fifty plus local businesses who trade at Helston Farmers' Market are justifiably upset that a French "Continental" Market was allowed to operate on the same day and, unlike the local farmers, in the middle of the town.

Happily, the buyers all seem to have prefered their local market for its better quality and better priced fare.

One consumer said "Being French I had to go and have a look at the Continental Market. The stallholders were reasonably friendly but the quality of some of the produce on offer was very poor for the price: a pale reflection of what the real stuff is like on the other side of the water.....most were just selling bought in produce".

It seems that several Cornish Town Councils regularly assist these Continental markets to set up, presumably thinking that a bit of "exoticism" will attract new custom in to the town. While there may be some logic in that it does seem absurd that they don't cherish their own local market and protect and enhance their interests first.

C'est la vie!