The Goods Shed, a restored Victorian railway building, will open on July 24 as a farmers' market in Canterbury six days a week.

The south-east regional office of the NFU says the market will differ from other farmers' markets nation-wide which take place only monthly or weekly on temporary stalls in town and city centres. The Goods Shed gives consumers a chance to buy a full range of farm produce including vegetables and flowers grown in the Garden of England.

Susanna Atkins, a 30-year-old from a Kent farming family is behind the initiative. 'Twenty stall-holders from all over Kent are already signed up either on a full or part-time basis and more are welcome,' said Atkins. A further three stalls are reserved for guest producers.

The market will open from Tuesday to Sunday and is seeking accreditation from the National Association of Farmers' Markets. It will also be the source for a 60-seat restaurant opening at market with a daily-changing menu to incorporate farmers' and growers' best local produce.

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