THE last Friday of a month has been in my diary for quite a while now as an opportunity to stock up on quality, locally produced and sometimes unusual food, such as ostrich burgers.

The many and varied stalls often encouraged me to spent more than I intended, but carrying the bags full of goodies home and enjoying the food over the space of a month made me look forward to the next farmers’ market.

During the refurbishment of the Newgate Market there was a reduction in the number of stalls available, but I felt it worthwhile supporting the market until it went back to its usual space and size.

Setting out last Friday, shopping bags at the ready, I was in for a shock. No sign in Parliament of any market, not even the banner advertising the farmers’ market was displayed.

After a while, I found a handful of stalls squeezed into a tiny space, with only limited products on offer. Many of the stalls had disappeared.

As a customer of the farmers’ market I want to see it back to its former glory with many and varied stalls as it was before.

Mrs A Ramming-Robinson, Fulford Cross, York.