Tuesday, a fornight ago, while on holiday in St Helier, on the island of Jersey.
The Central Market, rammed with an assortment of traditional, vibrant stalls and a real focal point of the local community.
Two weeks later, Tuesday lunchtime in Darlington. Only two traditional market stalls are trading in the town’s Victorian Covered Market – Robin Blair’s fruit & veg, and butcher David Jackson.
Of course, St Helier is a tourist destination and that has to to be taken into account.
Nevertheless, I still find it a sad contrast.
