Following on from the success of the food fair held on the Saturday of the Joe Dolan Festival weekend, Mullingar Chamber of Commerce has called on the town council to open the Market Square to local food producers every Saturday morning.
Pat Whelan, president of the chamber said, “We would love to see the Market Square operate as a type of artisan food fair every Saturday where people can come into town and buy fresh produce from local businesses. The square was always a hive of activity in the fifties and sixties when a market was held every weekend and we want to see it return to its former glory as it is a wonderful, unde-utilised amenity and an asset to the town.
“If we can entice shoppers into the town with the draw of a weekly food fair this will be beneficial to other businesses in the town as shoppers may decide to stay for coffee or browse the shops in the area. It can only be good for business in Mullingar and it will also support the home produce businesses currently operating in Westmeath.”
The Chamber would call on Mullingar Town Council to invite all local food producers to apply for an area in the square to exhibit and sell their produce.
Pat Whelan said, “As long as they are based locally, adhere to the relevant guidelines and sell good quality food, they should be given a platform to grow their businesses and give the shoppers of Mullingar more choice and another reason to spend their money in the town.”
