CAN YOUR LOCAL MARKET ASPIRE TO MARY QUEEN OF SHOPS' NEW PROPOSALS?
Recently Mary Portas was commissioned by David Cameron to review the local high street and the closure of many shops and lack of shoppers.
She has now delivered her report and one of her main suggestions was to turn our local markets into more social hubs, she also recommended relaxing the licensing laws on markets.
So I just took a look around our local market and realised it would certainly benefit from Mary’s ideas, but what we have to ask ourselves is ‘would it be viable for all markets?’
I have been to a few markets in London including Spitalfields for example which already seems to have the new theme making it a central hub with restaurants /bars and coffee shops around the edge, all in bistro/trendy presentation and market stalls run by young entrepreneurs and of course the very necessary regular supply stalls.
So I asked a few questions of two market traders in my local market in Ellesmere Port and this was there response:
Andy’s plants – Unit 17-119 commented that they have a core customer base but desperately need a younger audience, he felt that there was a snobbery about not attending local markets so that is what would need to change. He also felt that Council planning should arrange for markets to be developed on new out-of-town shopping centres.
He commented on parking charges in town centres deterring people and although our local council relax the parking fees after 3pm, it doesn’t benefit markets because traditionally markets are early starters and therefore early finishers.
This was confirmed by Florin Barbus who runs ‘Dominic Cafe’ he serves his food and drink from 7am in Ellesmere Port Market where there is a Food Court which Dominic commented is very popular and always busy until about 3pm when all the traders start to pack up.
Dominic suggested that his main client base are pensioners as there are no offices nearby with people on the move who would require a quick snack/drink. In response to my question did he think that Mary’s suggestion of licensed premises etc being introduced to markets would encourage a different client base. Dominic felt that that would be excellent if it worked but at the moment he sells a full English breakfast for £2.95 and a tea for 60p because his customers can’t afford any more in Ellesmere Port. He informed me that the same breakfast in Chester market cafe is £4.95.
In conclusion perhaps Mary’s ideas could be instigated in Chester market but general opinion is that Ellesmere Port market is more of a communal meeting place, this is confirmed by the ‘Advice and Money Link’ unit which is available for advice in Ellesmere Ports Market Hall.
But I would also like to add that I interviewed a lovely lady called Judith Perkins who is disabled and she commented on the easy access for wheelchairs into the Ellesmere Port Market Hall and therefore it has set me thinking, not all markets are in visitor towns like Chester and so perhaps we need to review each of them in a different way.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could make a different approach to our market and ask for ideas to ensure that we give the best for the needs of our local residents.
Perhaps we should have communal rooms dotted around the sides which have groups meeting for social occasions or training and yes perhaps a wine bar/traditional pub which gives basic pub grub and good beer and wine. I think we may encourage a younger attendee if we run craft courses, many young girls tell me they would love to learn to knit and what about woodwork courses for the guys. If these courses were fun then the word would pass and we may get a whole new visitor entering into the market hall. To include able bodied and disabled!!
The big question?? Where will the money come from to make all these changes, well conversion of the outside rooms would have to be paid for by the local council but the running of courses could be taken on by market stall holders or outside tutors and perhaps funding could be researched for it.