A Community Network for Bowes Park and Bounds Green
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.
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Permalink Reply by Lucy Whitehead on April 13, 2012 at 10:45 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
Permalink Reply by Cllr Matt Cooke on April 13, 2012 at 11:12 Hi Lucy,
I'm intending to come along tomorrow if that's ok. Will you let me know?
Matt
Permalink Reply by Ruth Harrison on April 13, 2012 at 11:42 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.
Permalink Reply by Walter Hawes on April 14, 2012 at 17:30 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??????
Permalink Reply by Denise Steele on April 17, 2012 at 6:51 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?
Permalink Reply by Lucy Whitehead on April 17, 2012 at 9:00 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!
Permalink Reply by Jeannine Mellonby on April 17, 2012 at 19:46 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
Permalink Reply by Kay Cushnie on April 17, 2012 at 21:29 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.
Permalink Reply by Lindsey Clarke on April 19, 2012 at 10:44 Thanks for the update, Lucy - very exciting. Happy to help spread the buzz!
Permalink Reply by Jude Habib on April 22, 2012 at 18:48 This is such an interesting discussion and I'm keeping updated with it. As you say lots of other areas having similar conversations just saw this on Civic Crowd http://www.theciviccrowd.org/idea/49001-support-greenford-market
Looking forward to this all coming together. I really think it will
Permalink Reply by Kari Koonin on April 22, 2012 at 18:53 If they can do it then so can we!! Interesting link, thanks Jude.
Permalink Reply by Kari Koonin on April 22, 2012 at 19:00 Incidentally, it was the Myddleton Road community garden plant and cake sale on Saturday. Everyone was so generous with their donations of yummy cakes and bread. We were talking about plans for the market - including with some people who hadn't heard about the idea - and everyone was really excited about it.
Street food seemed to be a very popular idea, and we also hit on the idea of having a community bakery stall at which local people could sell their home-made cakes, jams, savouries, breads etc. Several people are very keen to take part already! We'd obviously need to check up on the need for hygiene certificates etc, but I don't think they are difficult to obtain.
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