Community group hopes organic market will take root in Porty

Environmental community group PEDAL (Portobello Energy Descent and Land Reform) is to begin staging the events in a bid to both boost local trade and cut the area's carbon emissions.

The project, headed up by the group's food worker, Polly Cooke, would see up to 20 stalls set up monthly in Brighton Park.

It is hoped the stalls would sell locally-produced organic food and crafts, with all stall-holders required to come from the south-east of Scotland. Already 16 local producers have expressed an interest in taking a stall at the event.

And the people behind the plans say they also believe it will prove a big hit with local residents - and help to boost trade in the high street.

Tom Black, project manager with PEDAL, said similar markets in the Borders had led to a huge increase in local business, to the extent that market day became the busiest day for local traders.

And he is hopeful their event could have a similar effect in Portobello.

"One of our aims is to help create local sustainable and eco-friendly business, and this made perfect sense," he said.

"So much of what we eat is reliant in one form or another on fossil fuels, but we found there are plenty of local organic providers who are very interested in the idea of a market where they can bring in the public and give them a taste of what they do.

"We are asking for people from the local area to get involved, and every stall-holder has to come from the south-east of Scotland, as there would be no point in having an organic producer come up from England for the day.

"The site in Brighton park was very deliberately chosen as it is close to the High Street, which will encourage people to come along to the market, and also will mean that people will hopefully use some of the local shops and cafes. helping their trade as well."

If the market is approved, the group plans to hold its first event on September 4, to coincide with Organic Fortnight and Scottish Food Fortnight.

PEDAL recently unveiled plans to develop a wind-turbine on Portobello Promenade, to provide energy for local businesses.Local councillor Michael Bridgman said if the organic market had the support of the public it would be a huge success.

"I can't seen any problem with it, and I know a local fruit and veg shop closed recently so clearly anything which can help local business should be supported," he said.

"Ultimately it will be down to whether or not people choose to go along, but certainly the farmer's market has been a great success, so hopefully this will be as well."