The people behind New Malden Farmers’ Market are seeking assurances from Kingston Council they will have a place to set up after its current home is redeveloped.

The owners of the Fountain Pub car park, where the market is held, are planning to develop the land by building flats.

Concerns have grown that no alternative site has been allocated for the market, which has been around for five years.

New Malden Farmers’ Market volunteer and councillor Mary Clark said: “We want to move to the High Street.

“If we did we would be able to increase the number of stalls from 18 to 26.

“It would bring colour to the High Street and custom to the shops- one helps the other.”

Cllr Clark handed a petition, which had 235 signatures at the time of writing, calling on the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood committee to “support the Farmers’ Market for a sustainable future” by helping secure an alternative location.

She said it’s looking “favourable”. 

Councillor Ken Smith, chairman of the Maldens and Coombe neighbourhood committee for Kingston Council, said: “The council is aware of the petition and a report on this matter will be heard at a future committee meeting.

“The council will engage with organisers, businesses and residents to explore options for a possible relocation.

On top of the loss of the site, manager of the Farmers’ Market, Danielle O’Shaughnessy, is worried about its future.

Three of the market’s founders are retiring.

She said: “The people who were in charge of the market have done such a wonderful job but the location is wrong.

“The market needs a fresh team of volunteers to bring it through this new phase.

“If we don’t get this it will fade and disappear.

“The future of the market is precarious, but people in New Malden are very kind.

“They donate a lot of their time to good causes and I’m hopeful a new team of volunteers will come forward.

“It’s a great project.

“We have become a real community hub - people not only come to shop but to chat.

“If anyone wants to put their hand to a lovely community venture, this is perfect.”

Local campaigner James Giles said: “The Farmers’ Market is a community asset that has raised thousands of pounds for charities over the last five years.

“Our community thrives and comes together for this fantastic monthly event.

“It would be a real shame, given the development of the pub, to lose the car park, which is why I fully support Mary Clark's petition to ask for the market to be relocated to the High Street.

“I urge all residents to support the petition and join us in asking the council for their support to ensure the sustainable future of our much-loved market.”

An exhibition will be held at the Malden Centre on Thursday, November 16, detailing the exact plans for the car park.

To sign the petition go here.