Liberal Democrats in Muswell Hill are to ask Haringey Council to help remove an archaic Royal Charter which is operating as a restriction on trade at markets atAlexandra Palace.

Haringey Council is being asked to approach the Old Enfield Charitable Trust to repeal a Royal Charter dating from 1618, which restricts the holding of Saturday markets for an area of six miles from Enfield Town Centre. Lib Dem Finance spokesperson, Jonathan Bloch has also written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) asking them to investigate the problem.

Although the ODPM acknowledges the ‘issues surrounding Royal Charters and the difficulty in removing there powers’ they have agreed to investigate the issue. Now the Lib Dems want Haringey Council to approach the Old Enfield Trust and ask for their co-operation in repealing the bizarre law, which could open the way for Ally Pally to test popular farmers’ markets on a Saturday. Many believe such events would be more popular than the current Sunday market.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch (Muswell Hill ward) comments:

“It is ridiculous that this archaic law is dictating when Haringey can hold markets. I hope that the Council is supportive of the efforts being made by the Lib Dems and local trading groups to remove it.”

Cllr Gail Engert, who has submitted a written question on the issue to next week’s full council, adds:

“In order to ensure that Haringey secures maximum benefit from the market, it should be up the local community when such events should take place. We will continue to pursue this issue.”