Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Market Farces

Word reaches me from the seemier north side of the island that the recently inaugurated Margate market is suffering a few teething troubles.

If you recall, the Wednesday market was set up to help trade in the sickly lower High Street, where a hole in the wall literally means a hole in the wall. But some stallholders have already pulled out, quoting a lack of, er, trade. And the shopkeepers aren't too happy either, with burger vendors setting up outside fast food outlets, and cheap shoes being flogged outside shoe shops.

It's all very different here in the Millionaires Playground, of course. The market here caters for a very different sort of customer. I mean, where else would you be able to buy a four foot spanner for £3.99?

12 comments:

Millicent said...

I thought the High Street traders would be pleased if the market brought more shoppers into the town? Ramsgate is always busier when the market is there as well - or so it seems

ZumiWeb said...

Sometimes it's just the same number of people squeezing down the two foot space that's left to walk in...

But at least there are stalls in Ramsgate that don't compete with the adjacent shops, at least not too obviously, especially the French bread amd cheese man (my favourite), the flowers, the fish van, the big bakers stall (especially as we're missing one bakery at the moment due to fire)and some others...

I can't speak for Margate as I haven't been to their market, but certainly the Ramsgate one adds a nice buzz to Fridays and Saturdays.

Richard Eastcliff said...

I agree. And talking of bakers, that's just what we need here in Thanet's premier town. When are Maison Blanc going to open up a branch?

ZumiWeb said...

I was hoping for Paul or even Konditor and Cook myself.

Michael Child said...

Speaking as a Ramsgate trader it definitely works, Friday is now a busy day my favorite has to be the sheikh or is it Sheik or Shaykh or Shaikh, perhaps someone knows, with the battery operated toys that wiz about on a little tray.

Anonymous said...

Can you cook Michael - might be another business opportunity for you there - we need a good baker in King Street

Richard Eastcliff said...

All my North London media chums swear by Dunns in Crouch End. I wonder if they could be tempted to semi-retire to the seaside?

Michael Child said...

It occurred to me that in the eighteenth century tradition I could name my takeaway with my mothers maiden name Bates Hatton and instead of Ronald McDonald to entertain I could have Master Bates

Anonymous said...

Would you expect to pull the customers ?

Richard Eastcliff said...

Yes, you could be Master Bates the Master Baker.

Anonymous said...

Why not a Saturday market? And one that sells nice food when Margate doesn't have many fresh food shops? Better to sell something the ahops don't have, I would have thought. Who can come to a Weds market if they're at work all day?

Anonymous said...

A very sensible suggestion - as long as it is decent food not just broken biscuits and sweets or olives - also adds to the ambience?? Anyone selling proper crusty rolls seems to do well.