BARRHEAD welcomed its first farmers’ market to town 15 years ago — with crowds gathering to taste the experience.

However, there were storm clouds gathering as local traders feared it was snatching business from their front door.

And with no local farmers taking part, there were calls for a rethink.
Joseph McKenna, of McKenna’s butchers, in Main Street, was less than impressed.

He said at the time: “I don’t want to pay one of my boys off. On Saturday, my takings were down. These markets should be as far away from other businesses as possible.”

After a successful first day, there were plans to expand the products available but Barrhead councillor Danny Devlin reckoned they should be going local.

He said: “The farmers’ market should not be taking money away from Barrhead and Neilston.”