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Mayor sets out his stall on future of street markets
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard17.09.08
A study into the future of London's street markets is to be commissioned by Boris Johnson.
It was ordered after the Mayor heard concerns of traders from Queens Market in Newham, who fear their stalls will disappear after a planned redevelopment of the area.
Mr Johnson also pledged to visit the market and see the area for himself. He announced the study into whether existing planning policies support London's street markets during Mayor's Question Time.
He said: "I am determined to support street markets, [they are a] wonderful part of London life and can bring great benefits to local communities and those on low pay."
A string of London markets are fighting for survival against threats including increasing rates, loss of trade due to the C-charge, redevelopment schemes and the influx of chain stores.
The Evening Standard's Small Shops campaign has been calling for more protection under planning laws for all independent traders, in order to preserve the individuality of London's high streets.
Reader views (27)
Howard Leech from Poland seems to have got the wrong end of the stick. Boris Johnson is all for the street markets to continue, seems Mr.Leech has a thing about someone being well educated and will use any excuse to attack the "elite" as he surely see's them...Sad
- Terence Neil Cook, UK
I agree with Jools – and the case in Hackney recently was a disgrace. Tourists love our 'quaint' old pounds and ounces. Vive la difference! That is why people travel, not to see what they can see at home.
- Mike, London
I love street markets, a real place to browse and see or buy things that you would not normally.
That a toff such as old Boris wants to possibly close them down just says everything.
- Howard Leech, Gdansk, Poland
Paris has a street market in each arrondissement, almost everyday of the week (like Soho market)!!! These are fantastic local spaces, which offer variety and choice from the all too common one size fit-all mega chain boring offers: boutiques and markets... this is diversity... the diversity of a city and a nation! WE NEED MORE MARKETS
- Helena, London, UK
Street markets are a health and safety hazard and should be banned.
- Tangomike, Kensington, London
I have run a Fruit Stall outside Finchley Road Station for the last 20 years. Yesterday (21/10/08) myself and the lady who sells flowers was issued with a notice to quit by 1st December 2008, this is our only source of income and am rather nervous about the future.As far as I am aware the Evening Standard paper sellers on TFL property have aslo been given these notices,if we all stick together on this issue maybe we the small trader could have some security and not be afaid that our buisnesses could be taken from us at any time.
- Carmen Nash, london
Hammersmith used to have a brilliant 6-day-a-week fruit and vegetable market now replaced by a single day "farmers" market and another single day "French" market (neither strictly genuine) plus some irrelevant civic fountains occupying space that could have been devoted to trees, as in prettier French or Italian markets. Councils should do more to consult residents before spending our taxes on such developments!
- Helen, London, UK.
And don't forget Greenwich market.
- Oliver, Santander, Spain
I am sure that a lot of the markets have a royal charter,l do hope that camden passage does not fall by the wayside, l remember going there when l was a small child before it became all posh, it was a great place to meet people and we children could wander around without the worry of being near busy roads, also chapel market was a great place to go,walthamstow market was a favourite place of my aunt who when visiting us always made a beeline for walthamstow, it would be great loss to every single londoner to lose their markets, but then again as they are always telling us we must not stop progress,what progress when nobody can afford to buy/rent/shop in these clinically unfeeling places.GET A CAMPAIGN GOING TO SAVE ALL LONDON MARKETS, that would upset the so called THEM,against THE PEOPLE.
- Meg, merthyr tydfil south wales
Erm, Camden Council have ALREADY destroyed the whole ethos of Camden Market. There's nothing left to save. And what was left untouched strangely burnt down in a fire due to their being absolutely no fire safety precautions in an highly populated tourist attraction in the middle of London. Bit late now eh?
- Real, London
London will loose its charm without its markets. Too may sites have been sold to ambitious developers that take away the spirit of the area. There used to be covered markets such as The Stables in Chelsea and the Hyper Iper and Ken Market in Kensington; now they are all gone. If people in this city insist in doing our shopping in the street under the rain, please let us!! There is a place for the shopping centers but there is also a place for the markets.
- Esther Gonzalez, Plumstead, London
Councils like Tower Hamlets seem to be trying to kill off ancient traditional markets such as Brick Lane. At a time when there is a credit squeeze they have suddenly banned stall holders for parking their vans near to their stalls and they now want to charge them for vehicles. Why? because the council claim these vehicles are suddenly a fire hazard, not the case, if you pay to park in other roads. There have been no fire incidents in the past and someone pointed out there would be greater fire incidents with the change. This new policy squeezes old stall holders, makes life difficult when transferring items while providing a new revenue stream for a council hell bent on destroying the real markets of the east end of london. Shopping in markets is wonderful when compared with homogenised shops and supermarkets, they provide goods and a social service as well as direct employment to individuals, a real market with real people in a world where people cannot trust big institutions. Perhaps this is why the Council do not like markets and stall holders, too busy pandering to multinational linked retailers.
- V K, London, UK
Please please say it isn't so The street markets are the most British thing IN London! Next to Pie and Mash and Big Ben, the markets are the BEST. Every time I come to London and bring friends, I always take several days out just for the markets. Please please save them!!!!!
- Susan Seifert, Bismarck, North Dakota United States
In August, I visited the Borough Market. Wow! An incredible experience and I'll say that it is a real food nirvana. Londoner's should take every step possible to preserve their neighbourhood market.
- Cjp, Victoria, Canada
As Boris is an Islington resident I hope that he will try to save what is left of Camden Passage after the sell off by the Lib Dem LA.
Mr S. Port I think you deserve a holiday in Sark (no cars, only tractors, horses, bicycles).
- Dectora, Islington London UK
Last weekend I travelled to London for the sole purpose to visit Borough Market. What a gem,a foodie like me knows instantly that THIS is a "slice" of heaven! The quality,the colour,the variety,the mix of what is really the best in food! Collected in one great place full of character. If anything London Markets ought to be protected by the National Trust or something similar. It is of great historical value,and part of what Londoners must to be SUPER proud of. So Boris must really go to work here!
- Lollo Svard, Stockholm,Sweden
Boris just needs to come to Acton Market to see how it can help. The Acton Market has really helped to bring the community together. It's become a vibrant place to go on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Street markets encourage communities to get out and meet each other, to behave like normal communities should.
- Karen, Acton, London W3
Mr S Port
Why do you drive in inner London? Get a bus and enjoy the views and then enjoy a day out in the markets. PS I prefer Borough Market 
- Rod, Epping UK
I took my daughter to Ridley road market last week and she absolutely loved it. So colourful and bright...she was amazed at the banter between the stallholders and the customers, something you just do not get from a dour teen working in one of the big supermarkets.
- Sue, london
With Mayor Boris in charge, I'm tempted to return to living in London. What a star!
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK
Why take your car to market,previous commentator!!
I am v gld Boris wants to keep our markets...people are sick of these clone shops and shopping malls...also councils should step in to help local markets...if paerking is a problem for some then there should be a solution!!
- Jean, london England
Well done Boris if it takes a few quid to prove that the street markets add value to London life so be it. Here in Tbilisi, the Government have taken them off the streets and ruined the atmosphere and character of the place. Now all we see are shops trying to sell upmarket goods that no one can afford to buy and then thay shutdown after a few months and people wonder why. Keep the markets alive stop all these developers destroying a colourful way of life.
- Billy Hirst, Tbilisi Georgia
I am delighted that Mayor Boris Johnson has taken an interest in our ambitious plans for the redevelopment of Queens Market.
The project will deliver significant improvements to the market, which has declined in recent years and faces environmental and anti-social behaviour problems with limited access for disabled people and those with pushchairs.
The problems at the current market are due to poor design and a concrete structure built in the 1970s, which has reached the end of its useful life. It is in need of extensive refurbishment. The development plans mean this will be done, at no cost to Newham residents.
The diversity of this borough was prominent in the success of the London 2012 bid. Thriving Green Street, with its astonishing variety of produce, brings shoppers from all over London and Britain and is a huge asset to Newham.
Far from seeking to homogenise our busiest shopping area, we intend to promote it as a tourist attraction, which will bring more prosperity to Newham. Preserving the unique character of Queens Market, with a wide range of affordable produce, but in a vastly improved environment, is at the heart of that plan.
We look forward to Mayor Johnson showing support for our scheme. Queens Market is staying and we're making it better.
Cllr CONOR McAULEY
Executive Member for Regeneration
Newham Council.
- Conor Mcauley, Newham
Yes it's okay because the Chelsea Tractor brigade don't use the markets so Boris shall probably get rid of them and pen it in his Telegraph column "two birds one stone"
- Binky Boo, London
Who pays for the Study? London's tax payers. Who gets paid to carry out the Study? Boris's mates? Boris's Deputy Mayors? What's the matter Boris can't you make up your own mind?
- Mick, London, England
Come on Boris, we need you to safeguard the use of pounds and ounces that most people still prefer.
Officious Trading Standards officers in some boroughs hassle street traders to price and sell in metric; nobody in my part of London ever asks for anything in kilos.
Force honest traders to buy expensive scales they shouldn't need and you'll kill another piece of London. You'll also deprive some of the poorest Londoners of fruit and veg at reasonable prices - particularly pensioners, students and ethnic minorities with whom my local market is very popular.
- Jools, London
The problems with markets, is not the goods on sale, its not the lively banter that you hear around you nor the generous discounts you can get for a little bit of haggling, its not even the atmosphere that you soak up as you wander aimlessly from one stall to another, looking at the merchandise on display.
The problem with markets is the £60 parking ticket you find on your windscreen when you return to your car after your shopping. There is nowhere to park even on a sunday so why bother going.
- Mr.S.Port, London
