Bowes and Bounds Connected
A Community Network for Bowes Park and Bounds Green
Sunday Market...?
Hi neighbours
Wouldn't it be great to get a Sunday market going on Myddleton Road. Has anyone ever explored this idea?
I was just reading the paper today and saw a story about a group who regenerate old arcades such as Granville Arcade in Brixton, filling empty units with independent retailers and creative spaces. I thought.. how could some of that spirit be transferred to Myddleton road..? I know there are lots of discussions about how it could be regenerated. Thankfully The Step is coming, which will hopefully kick start something, but also it got my mind thinking - a market would bring people to the area, you wouldn't have to deal with property / council / long lost owners issue of empty shops (although obviously it would be great to have them used in better ways eventually), and it would provide a place for local retailers to sell interesting stuff that you don't find in Wood Green!
My brother lives in Clapton and there are a couple of Sunday Markets. Chatsworth Road has become much more interesting with new independent shops. I dont see why Myddleton Road couldn't go the same way.
Lucy.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kay Cushnie on
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I've just filled in the survey. Unfortunately I will not be able to make the meeting on Saturday now, but wondered if there would be anyone taking minutes or if someone could just feed back. Sorry to sound all formal.
I am all for this idea and I really do think that the marketing of this needs to be tight. Personally in my mind I am envisaging a market which sells arts and crafts, street food, cakes, hand-made jewellery etc. Similar to Greenwich Market, Portobello and Spitalfields.
Just to make 'our' market special I think we'd need to other something slightly different. Why would people come to Myddleton Road on a Sunday rather than go to Greenwich or Spitalfields? What specialist stalls are on offer? Is our market going to be a local market or a London street market?
Lots of questions I know, but as I'm not able to make the meeting I just thought I'd put my thoughts out there.
Speak soon,
Kay
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Permalink Reply by Grant Corr on
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yeah i totally agree kay, it has to be special to attract people from outside the area. It''s perfect being right next to the train station etc so people will come if you look at Columbia road and Broadway markets and how they regenerated those areas and they are jammed with people who have travelled from all over, they sell vintage clothes and furniture and art and crafts stuff as well as nice street food.
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Permalink Reply by Jeannine Mellonby on -
Hi all I've just joined B+B so that I join this conversation and add my 2 penneth.
Firstly I think the street market is a fantastic idea. As agreed by all, the marketing is so crucial to it's success - a real buzz needs to be created. For me Myddleton Road has such an idiosyncratic atmosphere that could be exploited with an offbeat style of market. Also Bowes Park is not on many peoples radar - I wonder if it's possible to create a buzz based on it's off the beaten track location.
My good friend Andy Bates (Eat My Pies) supplies pies to The Step which of course, are fantastic. He has very successful stalls at Broadway, Whitecross Street, Eat St in Kings Cross and Berwick St, (not to mention his burgeoning TV chef profile). He would love to set up a stall here, and get involved in the market's initiation. His email is:eatmypies@gmail.com should you want to contact him, but I will make sure he joins this forum.
I haven't read through all of the posts so forgive me if this has already been discussed and discounted, but one thing that's special about Broadway for example is that it's held on a Saturday..it has a different feel than a Sunday market. I was wondering whether the 'competition' from the Sunday market nearby in Alexandra Palace would take it's toll on potential footfall? Andy Bates made a couple of good points to me on this subject: In his experience, people spend more money on a Saturday. Also, people shop for produce to use in their weekend cooking. I wonder also if people are more willing to travel on a Saturday.
Just a thought.
I would also like to offer up my design skills should they be needed.
Best
Jeannine
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Permalink Reply by Lucy Whitehead on
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Hi Jeannine
Thanks so much for your post - really invaluable comments. Its interesting what you say about saturday Vs Sunday, I can totally see how that might work better. I'll drop Andy a line. Also we are meeting tomorrow - anyone who's interested in getting involved or just voicing an opinion - 3pm at The Step. Also I totally agree about marketing. So crucial in order to draw people in.
Lucy
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Permalink Reply by Cllr Matt Cooke on
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Hi Lucy,
I'm intending to come along tomorrow if that's ok. Will you let me know?
Matt
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Permalink Reply by Ruth Harrison on
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Great suggestions all round. I think a mixed-up off-beat market is the best idea. Someone mentioned minutes for the meeting tomorrow - maybe not so formal, but it'd be great to have some reporting back for those of us who can't make it. I'd love to hear how it goes.
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Permalink Reply by Walter Hawes on
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I can only join in with all the positive comments...why not set a date, get interested people to register and ask people to show up and set up their stalls??????
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Permalink Reply by Denise Steele on
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How did the meeting go on Saturday. I had it in my diary to come but I was very ill last week, I had a bad virus.
Any update?
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Hi all
Yes we had a really good discussion on Saturday. It was great to meet so many new people, so enthusiastic for the idea with lots of good input. Here were the main points raised:
Type of stalls: it was felt that food/ street food / bread / cakes / work well - perishables that people want to return for. International theme would link with the demographic of Bowes Park. Also would be good to have a strong green theme. Plus arts and crafts - working with the Chocolate Factory would be good. Might be good to have some children's activities or some outdoor exercise in the community garden. Bring-your-bike-to-repair type of stall.
Saturday Vs Sunday- Sat might be better as wouldn't be competing with Ally Pally and Palmers Green. Sat might be easier to get permissions for. Would be best to aim for a fortnightly market as monthly people might miss / forget about.
Cllr Cooke explained the work already done to regenerate Myddleton Road. A market idea was raised a few years ago but was felt more urgent things needed doing. The BPCA and Myddleton Road Regeneration Group are very much in favour of this fresh attempt to get a market going.
Should we tie the market in with the Jubilee celebrations? This is a possibility and you can get a street closed without the fees but you still have to deal with the issue of licenses for traders. Its something to look into depending on timescale. Would still have to retain focus on the market though.
We discussed how markets really can help turn a street around. Columbia road is full of great shops now, many of them only open on Sundays!
I am in contact with licensing @ Haringey who are putting the matter to the Neighbourhood Action Team and are aiming for a report to the Committee in May/June. Hopefully that means progress! I will keep everyone posted.
If anyone has any more thoughts / ideas in the meantime do keep posting here. Lets keep the discussion going!
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Permalink Reply by Jeannine Mellonby on
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Hi Lucy, It was great to meet you on Saturday. Thanks for the update - it sounds really positive.
As we wait for the report, is there anything useful wen can be doing? Maybe gathering support - dispersing the survey?
In terms of marketing, word of mouth is, as we all know the most effective method, and if we can create something a bit different the more likely people are to talk about it. A Saturday market is a break from the norm. I saw some local Turkish musicians rehearsing at Vrisaki - could we get them out onto the street? Or does that open a performance license can of worms? For the kids maybe we could have a bubble lady with a giant bubble wand - very cheap and the kids adore it. I'll keep thinking!
Thanks
Jeannine
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Love your ideas Jeannine!
It sounds like the meeting went very well. Saturday it seems is the preferred day. I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome in May/June...I just wish it could be sooner. However time flies in the meantime we could spread the local buzz.
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Permalink Reply by Lindsey Berthoud on
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Thanks for the update, Lucy - very exciting. Happy to help spread the buzz!
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