MRS Reid, in her letter about the Newgate Market, suggests that she does not appreciate that the market traders have regular meetings with senior council officials (Letters, May 2).

Very few of the market traders are, however, actually from York, with a lesser number selling locally produced goods.

Paradoxically, the farmers' market, which is staged regularly in the city, is wholly local, both in terms of participants and produce.

Newgate stall occupancy averages 73 per cent with trends, broadly, in line with similar markets elsewhere. The council would very much like to invest in making Newgate a jewel in the York Pride agenda.

It will require a sustained commitment to partnership from all of the traders for this dream to become a reality.

Councillor Richard Watson,

York Road,

Haxby, York.

Updated: 09:43 Saturday, May 07, 2005