Comments on: Columbia Road Market 58

By: Phoebe Hollins

Phoebe Hollins — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 08:21:10 +0000

Love the blog and this ongoing series.

I’ve been going to Columbia Road for many years and love the ‘the thick congestion” it’s really not too bad, its what gives the market its soul. This spreading easterly sounds like the market would turn more into a garden centre with different zones rather than the amazing, vivid experience it is today and has been for over century. Surely by spreading the market this would take away even more parking areas.

Why not leave the market alone and get the parking controls changed? I have seen it again and again, change for the ‘better’ has destroyed london market after london market!

Phoebe

By: George Gladwell

George Gladwell — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:38:49 +0000

I am the accredited Representative of the market, also I am a trader and have been since late 1949.

Your interview paints a picture of panic rather than concern, without going in to detail of the mutterings and differences of opinions among the traders. I say there is always a light on the horizon. If there are to be changes within the market it will happen. We will have to get orientated to it. The attendance of the traders at the meeting mentioned was not as stated, there were only about a dozen turned up out of a total of 45 traders. The proposed changes were displayed. The changes proposed are to give the traders more space per pitch By spreading the market by 140 feet easterly. Also primarily to alleviate the thick congestion by Carl Grover’s and Kenny Cramer’s pitch. I know that none of the traders wish to be moved along. I do not wish that for myself. But the politics and requirements between certain traders at the expense of others has brought the proposed changes about. The local residents will be objecting and so will shopkeepers but there is a necessity for the safety of the market and the public in the future.

I have kept all of the traders informed of prevailing circumstances in my regular attendance with the Market Services and the other reps of other markets. I find that also other traders in other markets are so resigned to believe they can do nothing about any domestic serious problem. Their attitude of the many is whatever will be will be. I find this in our market also.

Our trade has dropped dramatically over the past two years. Our visitors have much difficulty finding parking spaces. I am at present in discussion with the College in Gosset Street, I am really hope ful that we may resume the Car Park facility before Christmas

The traders challenge me on many issues. I reply as best I know how. There are domestic problems within our market that will drive the changes (if any actually materialise) on.

Anyone is welcome to speak to me in the market or by email at anytime

George Gladwell….. Licence No 1191 …..Pitch No 15/17

By: harloaf

harloaf — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:31:15 +0000

why can’t people leave something amazing alone?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 07:17:57 +0000

What can we do as your readers to help? Is there such a thing as an email petition? I am sure that every one of your readers would sign. These sorts of ill made decisions have got to be stopped. The powers that be are supposed to be helping the public and not making the decisions without their opinions. I thought the new government wanted more local residents etc to be involved in the community decisions?

I certainly would sign it.

Thank you for all the wonderful stories you tell us.

Barbara

By: Franny

Franny — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:59:45 +0000

It certainly was a cold morning this morning and reading this does not warm me in the slightest. Why change something when it aint broke?
I love Columbia Road – I had no idea it was changing.
This news has upset me greatly.

Please keep up posted!