About

About the Market

A very special atmosphere

Surbiton Farmers’ Market. The Good Life just got better.

Queen of the Suburbs and fictional home of 1970s sitcom The Good Life, Surbiton is often a byword for suburban living. But this unique community initiative has brought the countryside into the town.

Since it began in October 2009, Maple Road Surbiton Farmers’ Market has become an essential meeting point for the community as well as a great place to shop, while helping to raise over £60,000 for more than 50 local charities and good causes.

What we are …

On the third Saturday of each month, Maple Road welcomes 26 farmers and producers selling wonderful fresh produce and speciality foods. From locally grown fruit and vegetable varieties rarely seen on the high street to artisan bakery products made just down the road, our aim is to provide consistently high quality and good value.

We also run a programme of special events to attract and inform visitors, and support stallholders and local businesses. Froom cookery competitions to our ever-popular Christmas Farmers’ Market, these events make the market atmosphere even more enjoyable for shoppers.

What we do …

Started by a small group of volunteers, the market has also brought other groups together to create a strong feeling of community and connectedness. Schools, churches, residents’ associations, the WI, Scouts, charities and arts groups enjoy swapping ideas and working together.

The market has a positive impact not only on Maple Road but on Surbiton and the area as a whole, by encouraging people to shop locally. It’s also created an environment that visitors enjoy and where they may ultimately want to live and work. Several start-up companies have been spawned and other markets have set up in the surrounding area based on our model.

What our customers say…

We believe we’ve created a very special atmosphere on market days and our customers agree. Our survey found that almost all (98%) rated their experience of the market as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ and still more (99.5%) said the market had had a positive effect on the town.

Here’s a selection of the comments we’ve received from the community:

‘Wonderful initiative’, ‘Brilliant’, ‘A real treat for Surbiton’, ‘Wonderful atmosphere, great way to spend a Saturday morning’, ‘It brings life to Surbiton and a lovely community spirit. Well done’, ‘The market has been a huge success and really brought Surbiton together’, and simply ‘Love the Surbiton Farmers’ Market’.

Our awards…

We’re proud that the contribution the market makes to life in Surbiton has also been recognised with several local and national awards. In 2018 we received a Kingston Business Excellence Award for our Commitment to the Community. We’ve also twice been awarded Best Food Retailer in the Time & Leisure Food & Drink Awards. Time Out lists us as one of the 10 Best Farmers’ Markets in London. We’ve been voted Best Farmers’ Market in the Surrey Life magazine Food & Drink Awards. And in 2013 we won the top award for markets across the UK, the prestigious FARMA Farmers’ Market of the Year.