Markets NOT supermarkets

Very interesting article in the Independent on a new report from the New Economic Forum that shows street markets generate substantial benefits for the local economy. Although based on a study at Queens Market, East London there are lots of relevant points, for example they found that markets employ more staff than equivalent supermarkets, that goods were cheaper and that there was more choice.
The article also includes the results of a survey of 1,000 people for ICM last week that found more than 80 per cent of consumers want new laws brought in to curb the power of the big supermarket chains.

A similar article in the Sunday Times states that Farmers Markets are also cheaper than supermarkets, although not as cheap as street markets.