CONTROVERSY has continued over the trio of kiosks that have replaced the traditional market stall at the foot of Castle Street. As letters to The Herald have continued to criticise the design (one published last week describing them as "lumpen obstacles") architects for the scheme have described it as "helping to protect Farnham's Georgian centre". Mario Avendano, associate at award-winning architects practice Lyons + Sleeman + Hoare, commented: "Castle Street is one of the most historically significant streets in Farnham, and indeed Surrey. "We spent a lot of time perfecting the design of the Old Market House site to ensure that the new units remain sympathetic to the stunning Georgian architecture that surrounds them." The scheme, which cost site owners Flavia Estates around £300,000 to build, occupies the plot which was occupied by the Old Market House from 1566 to 1865. It involves three retail kiosks, two of them capable of being sub-divided into two smaller units. Disappointment has been expressed by many residents that a flower seller, and not the traditional fruit and veg stall, occupies the corner unit. And although a fruit and veg seller has now set up stall, they occupy the smaller section of the central kiosk. "The produce is very good and it's well priced, but they should be the main attraction, not confined in such a small space," complained chief critic and Castle Street resident Gillian Ferguson. The former Waverley Council leader blamed Flavia Estates for being "so greedy on their rents" and drew attention to the fact that the empty top unit is being marketed at £20,000 a year, exclusive of rates, service charge and VAT. "Genuine market traders can't afford that," she pointed out.
