market decline

[binrak]

had a long talk with a mate of mine who works in the market who says that everyone there is noticing a decline in business in the last four months. He is saying that it is because there is 'too much pickpocketing' and that fewer people are coming to brixton market because it is 'dirty'. If so, this is a bad sign. Have made resolution to avoid sainsburys etc at all costs and always shop in market. Mind you, it might also be because almost every shop has become a nails shop or a very similar afghan-run veg/food shop, thus denying customers from the range of choice

Any others hearing the same?

mark

[pooka]

There's been long-running discussion on this forum about the decline in Brixton Market and it's causes. There are a number:

1. Poor maintenance of the physical environment, although they are about to resuface it (shame they can't afford proper pavings or brickwork - not because of the pavings but the cost of sealing the cracks agaianst the pressure hosing required in response to the persistent pissers).

2. The effects of supermarkets.

3. Parking restrictions (an arguement made by the market traders)

4. Poor management and the tendency of the traders themselves to 'over-pitch) meaning that shoppers are crowded into a rat run down Electric Avenue and through Pope's Road. This makes shopping in the market a hassle at best and also ideal for thieves and dealers.

5. A decline in the variety of goods offered with the invasion of nail bars, dodgy DVD's, acres of sunglasses and fake brand undies etc.

6. A decline in the quality of produce and goods. One market trader has told me that as custom declines the traders become more reluctant to carry higher quality goods and go more for the cheaper end of the market.

I think it's right to support the market if we want to keep it, but the traders themselves, the markets management and the council have to do their bit too. The best markets are an entertainment and a pleasure to shop in - it's been a while since that's been true of Brixton.

[Gramsci]

Apparently the Brixton Area Forum is going to have a new Brixton Town Centre working group.

[pooka]

Apparently the Brixton Area Forum is going to have a new Brixton Town Centre working group.


Yes, I heard that. I think it's an excellent idea. There are plenty of people who aren't necesarilly keyed up about their ward, but do have an interest in the Town Centre.

[memespring]

Part of the reason the the homoginisation of shops is that the planning rules covering the market (the council unitary plan and the conservation area guidence) have been ignored wholesale.

e.g. pretty much every shopfront has been removed over the past decade without planning permission. That makes it easier to sell fish, meat and veg etc. Under the conservation area stuff that should not have been allowed to happen.

The addition of new canipes over shops etc should all have gone through planning too, but havent and the police seem to think that this increases robbery/dealing since there are less clear lines of site down the roads.

[OpalFruit]

There's been long-running discussion on this forum about the decline in Brixton Market and it's causes. There are a number:

1. Poor maintenance of the physical environment, although they are about to resuface it (shame they can't afford proper pavings or brickwork - not because of the pavings but the cost of sealing the cracks agaianst the pressure hosing required in response to the persistent pissers).

2. The effects of supermarkets.

3. Parking restrictions (an arguement made by the market traders)

4. Poor management and the tendency of the traders themselves to 'over-pitch) meaning that shoppers are crowded into a rat run down Electric Avenue and through Pope's Road. This makes shopping in the market a hassle at best and also ideal for thieves and dealers.

5. A decline in the variety of goods offered with the invasion of nail bars, dodgy DVD's, acres of sunglasses and fake brand undies etc.

6. A decline in the quality of produce and goods. One market trader has told me that as custom declines the traders become more reluctant to carry higher quality goods and go more for the cheaper end of the market.

.

7. Restricted opening times. The market closes just as many Brixton Residents are returning from work and want to pick up some shopping.

[Mr Retro]

7. Restricted opening times. The market closes just as many Brixton Residents are returning from work and want to pick up some shopping.

Thats my main bugbear about the market too.


Couldn't agree more with this:

I think it's right to support the market if we want to keep it, but the traders themselves, the markets management and the council have to do their bit too.

[Crispy]

I'd use the market much more if they made a few simple changes. As it is, it's far less hassle to go to one of the shops on atlantic road. Electric Avenue badly needs to be replanned. There's a big dirty 'service zone' behind the stalls, and then a tiny narrow path to fit down if you want to shop. Half the time you're stuck behind people and it's hell for pushchairs etc. Hopefully this'll be sorted with the resurfacing.

[OpalFruit]

but the traders themselves, the markets management and the council have to do their bit too. .

In principle, I love the market, and the idea of the market, but do not often use it (although I do use many other small independent shops). For many reasons already mentioned. Also, sadly, it is the only place I have heard direct racism in Brixton - a fruit stall holder telling a hair accessory seller on the next stall to go back where she came from, etc, and the only place I have seen aggressive stallholder tactics - imo it's reasonable to take a closer look at the fruit you are buying, or be able to feel an avocado without viscious racist and sexist insults. Obviously this is true of only a minority of stallholders (I hope!), but it doesn't help.

[pooka]

I'd use the market much more if they made a few simple changes. As it is, it's far less hassle to go to one of the shops on atlantic road. Electric Avenue badly needs to be replanned. There's a big dirty 'service zone' behind the stalls, and then a tiny narrow path to fit down if you want to shop. Half the time you're stuck behind people and it's hell for pushchairs etc. Hopefully this'll be sorted with the resurfacing.

I think part of the justification for the 'service zone' is to ensure that emergency vehicles could get down. That said, some of the stalls at the head of Electric Avenue moved back about a metre (just before the surfacing works started) and it transformed that stretch. Apparently, there is a lot of resistance from the stall holders to move back. Also, the areas marked outside the shop fronts is meant to be for customers queuing but is now used for display, which further narrows the passageway.