Other stall holders said the market was cheaper with fresher products too, “Produce is bought on the day we sell it” Bernard Gilbert from the Fruit and Veg stall told me, “I’ve collected from Spitalfields market in Hackney on the same day. I think it’s cheaper – you don’t get that at supermarkets where produce can be hanging around for several days.” Bernard (who has been coming to Maidstone Market to sell for twenty years) concluded.
In contrast I met Joan, a stall holder who had only been part of Maidstone Market for two days. Selling her own home made jewellery called ‘Stardust Fashion Jewellery’, Joan was positive about the market and the pull it should have on the public “The market gives you a more diverse idea of what is available. It’s about the small businesses and cottage industries. It’s not mass produced so the quality is better than in the shops.”
Phil Butler from the ‘Pip’s Pet Supplies’ stall agreed the products are better value “It is cheaper than the shops and the market is a community as well. Every market every week is a little bit different and you get to meet different people.”
The footfall at the market has dropped over the years. Whether it is because people are used to buying in shops rather than markets, the traffic putting people off parking at Lock Meadow or a lethargy towards shopping (people can’t be bothered to walk over the Millennium bridge from the town centre) is all speculated as well as some stall holders saying the market is just not advertised well enough. The truth about the fall in footfall is probably a mix of all these things as well as the added snobby nature of some shoppers who only trust a branded product. It is a shame and people are missing out. There is even a free bus running from The Mall on Tuesdays (see time table on Inside Maidstone website) which town centre shoppers can take advantage of.
The market is not just about finding a bargain - although this is the place to look – it is a community and you rarely get shops or supermarkets going out of their way to find you the product you want for the following week – you want a different type of fruit or veg? No problem leave it with them, you want a different size/colour or design of onesie – leave it with them and they will see what they can do. There is no ‘it’s out of stock and we don’t know when our next delivery is’ at the market!
The community feel is apparent as soon as you arrive. My first stop was the fruit and veg stall where the stall holders were singing and humming, giving you a best price and encouraging you to look and feel the fruit and veg. It’s a family run stall and I found this was the case with many of the stall holders. A father and daughter team run the ‘Onesie Warehouse’ stall which sells all manner of clothes. Michael and Georgina Thomas were as welcoming as could be and enthused about the market “I love the community aspect of the market and want to attract more people. It’s got spirit. We’ve been here on and off since 1980 selling winter wear at a fraction of the price of the High Street. Socks, gloves, scarves, onesies, headbands you name it!” Georgina informed me.
There is a lot to the Maidstone Market but if it is not supported its future is uncertain. It’s a fantastic resource on your doorstep and worth including in your shopping trip the next time you are in town – after all, we are a market town.
By Liz White.