I do apologise for giving you nothing to fume about over the weekend, but I was obliged to devote a little attention to matters domestic. I did take time out to wander Greenwich and pass through the market. Were my perceptions off kilter or was it even quieter than usual? Sunday seemed worse than Saturday, though there is a partial explanation for that - the Italian market.
One can hardly blame the Italian market traders (or the Indian ones the week before, or the French ones ad nauseam) for wanting to profit from the effort the people, traders, business owners and institutions of Greenwich put into making this place such a great destination for visitors. But surely it's hard enough for the locals at this time without Greenwich council sticking the boot in.
Why does Greenwich council persist in promoting these "continental" markets at the expense of its indigenous ones. Yesterday's Italian food market was featured in the centre of the council's web site home page (go to http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/), with its own page promoting the traders and products. Even more invidious is that website's Markets page (at http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/LeisureCulture/Markets/) - Greenwich Market is third on the list, the Village Market is fourth and the Clock Tower Market doesn't even rate a mention. The Continental Markets are first on the list! Thanks for your support, Greenwich Council.
- Greenwich Whistler
- Hi there. I'm the Greenwich Whistler and I'm the founder of the We Love Greenwich Market blog. Why am I doing this? Well, I've been a visitor to Greenwich Market for more than twenty years and I still visit the market often. In recent years I've become aware of a decline in the market – in its variety of quality goods, its energy, the mood of its traders and its atmosphere. External events have brought it low; internal attacks even lower. Its future is threatened by even more destructive forces. It may be too late, but I love Greenwich Market and I won't see it destroyed because I couldn't be bothered to try to save it.
4 comments:
It's bound to be wiped off soon, so fyi here's the puff for the Italian market from the council's website:-
Come and shop for authentic Italian cuisine and foods from the continent on Sunday 8 June.
Cutty Sark Gardens will be hosting an Italian food market from 10am until 5pm, as part of a range
of special events lined-up for Greenwich this summer.
You will have the opportunity to:
* visit the Panificio stall offering fresh-baked ciabattas and pastries
* taste delicious olives and antipasti at the Banco Delle Olive
* purchase fine Italian wines at the Enoteca stall
* sample delicious Parma Hams & Salamis at the Salumeria
* peruse the Formaggeria for a wide selection of cheeses from Tuscany, Sardinia and The Italian Alps
* try some new pastes, jams, honey and marmalades and shop for fish and vegetable preserves at the Peccata di Sicilia.
In addition, there’s a variety of:
* delicious sweet nougats from northern Italy
* some of the finest hot chocolates
* succulent grilled sausage-sandwiches
* a tempting selection of biscuits and cookies
* dried fruits and nuts from all over Italy.
Fresh, high quality produce
Deputy Leader, Peter Brooks said:
"We are delighted to welcome these food markets to our borough. The stalls will be overflowing with fresh, high quality produce run by specialist Italian traders with a real passion for food.
I encourage residents to visit Cutty Sark Gardens and try some of the best food Italy has to offer."
23 May 2008
I wonder if any of the food court people or local shops let themselves get sucked into this. If they didn't then good people like Mamma Mia in the market or Cheeseboard in town must have been badly hit. Every time they do one of these food markets I feel for the food court people especially.
I'm with you there. Let's not forget the dining establishments with their eye-watering overheads. I walked past George II on Sunday afternoon and it was completely empty - not one customer inside or out.
"Viva Italia" - rite on
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