Market in Covent Garden dumps 'tat' for local craft

Stallholders at the Apple Market in Covent Garden will only be allowed to sell the best of British crafts - as they were when it set up in 1980.

Peter Greatwood, of the market's craft council, said the rule change was to protect the antiques, ceramics, oil paintings, jewellery and collectibles on sale from being compromised by cheap, mass-produced merchandise, such as slogan T-shirts and plastic souvenirs.

"This move back to its original ethos will better champion the great British crafts available at the Apple Market and will see the quality and provenance of those crafts improve," he said.

"We hope that by making a stand for British crafts and craftspeople it will not only preserve the future of the market but will attract makers and designers who may have been driven away by the traders selling imported and mass-produced goods."

Lorna Jackson-Currie, who has been selling her own handmade, painted ceramics at the market for 15 years, said: "It is a fantastic idea for the council to support British trade and ... (the market) could be a wonderful and unique place for visitors to spend their money on items which are authentic." Maria Lecatsas O'Neill, from Enfield, sells handmade silver jewellery at the market every Wednesday and Thursday.

She said: "I've been trading for around nine years and there has definitely been an increase in tacky tat, which is getting in the way of the truly British crafts. I have even seen items with 'Made in China' labels.

"You can buy all that sort of stuff at any market in London so it is important to single out those people who are making the best of British, so the Apple Market stays unique and different."

But some traders are unhappy about the new rule, which led to 17 stallholders being evicted by management group Capital and Counties.

Joyce Whittmore, one of those evicted, claimed the aim was to drive out traders and eventually replace the market with a "faceless shopping centre"-More than 200 stallholders are registered to sell at the market and the stands change daily.

Traders can sell only items that the management and a product selection panel have agreed in advance.

A spokesman for the market said the new rule would be strictly applied, adding: "Failure to comply may result in the trader not being permitted to trade at the market again."