It's hardly news that Greenwich Park has been slated by the Olympic powers-that-be for the equestrian events in 2012. Good thing/bad thing? Probably bad for many residents and park lovers. Could be good for Greenwich businesses - if only fleetingly.
Well the whole thing's up in the air again - like everything in Greenwich at the moment. Tessa Jowell, the Olympics minister, has called for an investigation into the viability of the park as an equestrian venue (click here to see the Guardian's report of the 29th August), among others.
Anyone considering a redevelopment in Greenwich at the moment may be somewhat influenced by the uncertainty.
Showing posts with label Et tu Brute. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Et tu Brute. Show all posts
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Play "Dodge The Droppings" at Greenwich Market!
For a long time now, one of Greenwich Market's greatest attractions for visitors and traders alike have been daily games of "Dodge The Droppings".
The market's population of flying rats have always been a wonderful source of entertainment, but that joy is reaching new heights now that the management no longer take any action to reduce their numbers.
The posts that visitors pass on entering the market bear witness to the pigeons' active bowels and the management's neglect.
...and here's a close-up of the top:-
Here are a few facts about feral pigeons:-
I'm sure the council won't turn a blind eye to this forever, so perhaps GSM should ask their lessor to take action as soon as possible.
The market's population of flying rats have always been a wonderful source of entertainment, but that joy is reaching new heights now that the management no longer take any action to reduce their numbers.
The posts that visitors pass on entering the market bear witness to the pigeons' active bowels and the management's neglect.
...and here's a close-up of the top:-
Here are a few facts about feral pigeons:-- Feral pigeons carry significantly more diseases that are harmful to humans than the brown rat. Over forty diseases can be passed from feral pigeons to humans.
- The best-known infectious disease passed from birds to humans is psittacosis, which has symptoms similar to pneumonia and typhoid fever and is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci.
- Feral pigeons have been shown to transmit cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis and bird flu.
- Other examples of potentially infectious diseases transmitted by pigeons are salmonella and tuberculosis.
- Feral pigeons are a source of allergens, which can cause respiratory illnesses like pigeon fancier's lung and allergic skin reactions. It is possible for these illnesses to be spread to people through contact with pigeon droppings, feathers, pigeon parasites, or where dead infected pigeons get into food or water sources.
- Spores from pigeon droppings can be carried on the wind and inhaled as dust, causing a flu-like illness in healthy people and posing serious problems to those with low immunity.
- Droppings not only cause buildings to look unsightly, but can also cause long-term damage.
- The presence of pigeon droppings, particularly when wet, can contribute to pedestrian accidents on pavements. Many stone and cobbled surfaces are particularly badly affected when wet.
I'm sure the council won't turn a blind eye to this forever, so perhaps GSM should ask their lessor to take action as soon as possible.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Boo-hoo boutique
An operator for the boutique hotel that is intended to form part of Greenwich Market's renovation is being actively sought on behalf of Greenwich Hospital. On Christie & Co's website (http://www.christiecorporate.com/ccc/markets/hotels2/instructions/)they say:
Greenwich Hospital has instructed Christie + Co to secure a professional hotel operator for a boutique hotel opportunity in the heart of its exciting planned regeneration of Greenwich Market.Since February, Christie & Co have had a document available giving an outline of the proposal (http://www.christiecorporate.com/ccc/pdf/Greenwich.pdf). It contains some information that may make a potential investor run away when they know the transportation truth that afflicts Greenwich. The document states:
The proposed project will see the transformation of Greenwich Market into an upscale leisure destination, whilst retaining the essential character and historical context of the market.
The completed scheme will see the creation of a new, modern market, additional office space as well the boutique hotel.
Greenwich Hospital is seeking an operator to partner the planning application for the hotel, which will be submitted by the middle of this year, and also to operate the completed property.
Ideally located in the heart of Greenwich, the completed hotel will benefit from easy access to a number of high-profile corporate and leisure business generators, including the O2 Arena and Canary Wharf.and:
Greenwich is located approximately five miles south east of the City of London. Benefitting from excellent public transport links, via the Docklands Light Railway from Cutty Sark station, Greenwich has easy access to Canary Wharf and London’s underground system.Easy access to Canary Wharf? Via the Docklands Light Railway? You can tell they don't spend a lot of time trying to get from one side of the river to the other on these "excellent public transport links", can't you? To my knowledge the DLR service has been appalling for years - and I see no sign of it improving this side of eternity.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Compensation
I've been thinking. My conclusions are probably wrong as I haven't heard anyone else voice them, but I hope you'll indulge me.
The one fact I have, which started my addled thinking, is this: the shop owners within the market whose leases have extended beyond the start of the redevelopment have either been bought out or otherwise compensated for their trouble. Similar arrangements must also be in place for leaseholders of other properties on the island site.
This thought led me to two propositions, the first unconnected with the market's future, the second more interesting to market folk.
First, could this explain why Frank the Yank has acquired as much property as possible on the island site? He already had the Admiral Hardy and the INC bar before the redevelopment news first emerged. Since then he has added the Coach and Horses, the W Lounge (ex Powder Monkey) and George II to his portfolio. Say what you like about Frank, he's a very shrewd businessman.
Second, who is probably one of Greenwich Hospital's more significant leaseholders? Step forward GSM/USM, who hold the market's lease. The disruption caused to the market by the redevelopment will be huge. The current lease runs from 1997, when I would guess a clause about redevelopment would be unlikely, to 2012. I find it inconceivable that the leaseholders won't be in line for generous compensation for their trouble. In fact, I imagine they would be due an even greater wedge if the market had to be shut down altogether.
Given their behaviour of late I find it most unlikely that GSM/USM will have their lease renewed in 2012, so perhaps it may be to their advantage were the market to fail to be relocated and have to be closed down. Eric Reynolds is also a very shrewd businessman.
The one fact I have, which started my addled thinking, is this: the shop owners within the market whose leases have extended beyond the start of the redevelopment have either been bought out or otherwise compensated for their trouble. Similar arrangements must also be in place for leaseholders of other properties on the island site.
This thought led me to two propositions, the first unconnected with the market's future, the second more interesting to market folk.
First, could this explain why Frank the Yank has acquired as much property as possible on the island site? He already had the Admiral Hardy and the INC bar before the redevelopment news first emerged. Since then he has added the Coach and Horses, the W Lounge (ex Powder Monkey) and George II to his portfolio. Say what you like about Frank, he's a very shrewd businessman.
Second, who is probably one of Greenwich Hospital's more significant leaseholders? Step forward GSM/USM, who hold the market's lease. The disruption caused to the market by the redevelopment will be huge. The current lease runs from 1997, when I would guess a clause about redevelopment would be unlikely, to 2012. I find it inconceivable that the leaseholders won't be in line for generous compensation for their trouble. In fact, I imagine they would be due an even greater wedge if the market had to be shut down altogether.
Given their behaviour of late I find it most unlikely that GSM/USM will have their lease renewed in 2012, so perhaps it may be to their advantage were the market to fail to be relocated and have to be closed down. Eric Reynolds is also a very shrewd businessman.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
All change
Just when you thought things were gathering pace on the relocation, one of the major players delivers a slap in the face. I'm referring, of course, to Greenwich Council's announcement that they probably won't allow the market to move temporarily to Cutty Sark Gardens (CSG).
Right from the start, CSG has been the preferred relocation site. It's big enough, not far from the original site, on the tourist route and adjacent to the existing retail area. A bit exposed, yes, but with a professionally designed structure in place of GSM's tent it should be viable.
This decision is a complete surprise and a significant kick in the teeth for everyone from Greenwich Hospital down. So what's going on? The council have been involved in the redevelopment decision-making process from the start, so why throw a spanner in the works now?
I reckon some bean-counter in the council has just figured out that they can make more money from other uses, so to hell with the market. Many of their decisions over the years have undermined the market's viability (relocating coach parking to the top of Greenwich park was a real killer), so they're clearly not fans.
In recent years their contempt for the market has become obvious - there now seems to be a market on at CSG every weekend. Presumably there's more money in those rents than the Hospital has offered so far.
Right from the start, CSG has been the preferred relocation site. It's big enough, not far from the original site, on the tourist route and adjacent to the existing retail area. A bit exposed, yes, but with a professionally designed structure in place of GSM's tent it should be viable.
This decision is a complete surprise and a significant kick in the teeth for everyone from Greenwich Hospital down. So what's going on? The council have been involved in the redevelopment decision-making process from the start, so why throw a spanner in the works now?
I reckon some bean-counter in the council has just figured out that they can make more money from other uses, so to hell with the market. Many of their decisions over the years have undermined the market's viability (relocating coach parking to the top of Greenwich park was a real killer), so they're clearly not fans.
In recent years their contempt for the market has become obvious - there now seems to be a market on at CSG every weekend. Presumably there's more money in those rents than the Hospital has offered so far.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Smoke gets in your eyes...
...and your hair and your clothes.
I entered the market from the eastern end of Turnpin Lane at the weekend and as I turned the corner by Mr Humbug my eyes started to water. I was also struck my the overwhelming smell of burning fat.
This has become a feature of the market of late, ever since the glorious Wednesday food market opened. This week, however, the wind was coming from a direction that forced all the smoke and stench into the market hall. The actual cooking was taking place at the northern end of the market, the smokier stuff (pig and sausage cooking) located under the entrance portico, but the whole market stank.
I can well imagine how off-putting this was to visitors. For those intending to enter the market from College Approach there must have been little incentive to actually come in. One look at the Wednesday banner and the pall of smoke filling the portico would turn the most inquisitive tourist away, let alone anyone looking for an arts and crafts market.
For the traders, it must have been exceptionally miserable. I remember the occasional waft of bacon from the Meeting Place - even some vegetarians of my acquaintance found that appealing - but this is a wholly different thing. The smoke and stink was bad enough for everyone; I can only imagine how the vegetarian, Muslim and Jewish traders felt. I bet the management didn't waste a second trying to imagine that.
Roasting pork and frying sausages on an industrial scale inside Greenwich Market is such a risibly bad idea that I can't understand why the management hasn't changed its mind yet. Let me make it clear that I am not opposed to cooked food at the market - I support these traders - it's the location that's wrong.
There have been attempts at bringing cooked food to the market before (remember Anson's excellent barbecues?). They have, wisely, always been situated in the car park or nearby in Durnford Street. I think this must be because the more astute managers have realised that such enterprises must be open to the sky. Cooking generates fumes and smells and these have to be allowed to escape.
Let's have a hot food offering at the market - I think it could be good for everyone - but please locate it where common sense dictates.
I entered the market from the eastern end of Turnpin Lane at the weekend and as I turned the corner by Mr Humbug my eyes started to water. I was also struck my the overwhelming smell of burning fat.
This has become a feature of the market of late, ever since the glorious Wednesday food market opened. This week, however, the wind was coming from a direction that forced all the smoke and stench into the market hall. The actual cooking was taking place at the northern end of the market, the smokier stuff (pig and sausage cooking) located under the entrance portico, but the whole market stank.
I can well imagine how off-putting this was to visitors. For those intending to enter the market from College Approach there must have been little incentive to actually come in. One look at the Wednesday banner and the pall of smoke filling the portico would turn the most inquisitive tourist away, let alone anyone looking for an arts and crafts market.
For the traders, it must have been exceptionally miserable. I remember the occasional waft of bacon from the Meeting Place - even some vegetarians of my acquaintance found that appealing - but this is a wholly different thing. The smoke and stink was bad enough for everyone; I can only imagine how the vegetarian, Muslim and Jewish traders felt. I bet the management didn't waste a second trying to imagine that.
Roasting pork and frying sausages on an industrial scale inside Greenwich Market is such a risibly bad idea that I can't understand why the management hasn't changed its mind yet. Let me make it clear that I am not opposed to cooked food at the market - I support these traders - it's the location that's wrong.
There have been attempts at bringing cooked food to the market before (remember Anson's excellent barbecues?). They have, wisely, always been situated in the car park or nearby in Durnford Street. I think this must be because the more astute managers have realised that such enterprises must be open to the sky. Cooking generates fumes and smells and these have to be allowed to escape.
Let's have a hot food offering at the market - I think it could be good for everyone - but please locate it where common sense dictates.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Rather more entrancing
Re "Entranced", I just unearthed pictures of the market's entrances taken just last year and I thought you might like to see them for comparison.
Here's the east end of Turnpin Lane:
Blighted by Frank the Yank's doors (not a problem when it was the Cricketers - see below) of course, but still a whole lot more inviting. Note the Greenwich Market sign above Frank's doors.
The Nelson Road entrance has Warwick Leadlay in place and the signs from hell missing:
Shame about the Teddy Bear shop - another victim of rising rents? Even in its closed state it still looks better than the Biscuit mess.
The College Approach entrance looks rather approachable:
Again, note the Greenwich Market sign between the two leftmost columns. A duplicate of the one above the Cricketers/Powder Monkey it helped people at the end of the street to spot the market. No misleading banner and no pall of greasy smoke either.
As promised, here's a picture of the Cricketers, with inward opening doors, before Frank the Yank got his hands on it:
Makes for a better entrance to the market, doesn't it?
By the way, how the hell did Frank the Yank get away with fitting outward opening doors?
Here's the east end of Turnpin Lane:
Blighted by Frank the Yank's doors (not a problem when it was the Cricketers - see below) of course, but still a whole lot more inviting. Note the Greenwich Market sign above Frank's doors.The Nelson Road entrance has Warwick Leadlay in place and the signs from hell missing:
Shame about the Teddy Bear shop - another victim of rising rents? Even in its closed state it still looks better than the Biscuit mess.The College Approach entrance looks rather approachable:
Again, note the Greenwich Market sign between the two leftmost columns. A duplicate of the one above the Cricketers/Powder Monkey it helped people at the end of the street to spot the market. No misleading banner and no pall of greasy smoke either.As promised, here's a picture of the Cricketers, with inward opening doors, before Frank the Yank got his hands on it:
Makes for a better entrance to the market, doesn't it?By the way, how the hell did Frank the Yank get away with fitting outward opening doors?
Entranced
In one of yesterday's posts I remarked upon the difficulty visitors have finding Greenwich market. Having found it, however, they may still be put off bothering to enter.
Three of the five entrances to the market are off-putting in the extreme. Worst of the bunch visually is the east end of Turnpin Lane:
To the right, there is the horrid scaffolding narrowing the already confined entrance by almost one-half. To the left, Frank the Yank has had his bar fitted with outward opening doors which are locked open, narrowing the entrance still further. GSM complete the hostile picture by having no signage whatever. Would it occur to you to look for one of London's great markets here?
On the south side of the market is the slightly grand Nelson Road entrance. This looks to me like an original Joseph Kay feature, only slightly marred by the pipes and cables routed through it:
The let down here is the emptiness of the shops on both sides. Warwick Leadlay's fascinating shop should be on the left, but I understand they were unable to justify the price hike by Greenwich Hospital when their lease came up. By the by, you'd think Greenwich Hospital, given their naval connections, would have nurtured Warwick Leadlay. Not only was the shop stuffed with maritime prints, model ships, Nelsonia and the wonderful Warwick himself, but Anthony Cross, his business partner, is on the council of the 1805 Club, a charity for the preservation of Georgian naval monuments.
The all but empty Biscuit store on the right is going for the "under offer" longevity award. The shop has been cluttered with Biscuit's promotional material for ages, but there's still no sign of life. Completing the unhappy picture, visible through the arch in the centre, is GSM's "we're only open on Wednesday and we only sell food, so bog off" sign. No surprise there.
And finally, Kay's splendid but restrained north entrance:
Greenwich Hospital isn't doing the portico any favours at the moment by framing it with scaffolding. But that just makes it hard for people to find the market, it doesn't stop them going in. That honour falls to the dead hand of GSM.
I know you'll be getting a terrible feeling of déjà vu, but here it is again - that accursed sign. At the risk of repeating myself; this is not a food market and it isn't only open on Wednesday. This sign puts people off. For **** sake GSM - stop being so intransigent and get rid of these blasted signs.
Three of the five entrances to the market are off-putting in the extreme. Worst of the bunch visually is the east end of Turnpin Lane:
To the right, there is the horrid scaffolding narrowing the already confined entrance by almost one-half. To the left, Frank the Yank has had his bar fitted with outward opening doors which are locked open, narrowing the entrance still further. GSM complete the hostile picture by having no signage whatever. Would it occur to you to look for one of London's great markets here?On the south side of the market is the slightly grand Nelson Road entrance. This looks to me like an original Joseph Kay feature, only slightly marred by the pipes and cables routed through it:
The let down here is the emptiness of the shops on both sides. Warwick Leadlay's fascinating shop should be on the left, but I understand they were unable to justify the price hike by Greenwich Hospital when their lease came up. By the by, you'd think Greenwich Hospital, given their naval connections, would have nurtured Warwick Leadlay. Not only was the shop stuffed with maritime prints, model ships, Nelsonia and the wonderful Warwick himself, but Anthony Cross, his business partner, is on the council of the 1805 Club, a charity for the preservation of Georgian naval monuments.The all but empty Biscuit store on the right is going for the "under offer" longevity award. The shop has been cluttered with Biscuit's promotional material for ages, but there's still no sign of life. Completing the unhappy picture, visible through the arch in the centre, is GSM's "we're only open on Wednesday and we only sell food, so bog off" sign. No surprise there.
And finally, Kay's splendid but restrained north entrance:
Greenwich Hospital isn't doing the portico any favours at the moment by framing it with scaffolding. But that just makes it hard for people to find the market, it doesn't stop them going in. That honour falls to the dead hand of GSM.I know you'll be getting a terrible feeling of déjà vu, but here it is again - that accursed sign. At the risk of repeating myself; this is not a food market and it isn't only open on Wednesday. This sign puts people off. For **** sake GSM - stop being so intransigent and get rid of these blasted signs.
A candidate for promotion
I've had a little email from a trader. There are some good points and I'm happy to reproduce it verbatim:-
Further to your email from a FoWI'll be posting some thoughts of my own on this topic soon. As a taster, would it surprise you to know that GSM had a budget of £30,000 for promotion last year?
Shouldn't the management/GSM be keeping an eye on where the market is mentioned & where it is not.What is said & what is not.
This especially applies to their own web sites & signage.
To make sure the truth is out there; no misleading falsehoods, deceptions & sloppy thinking.
Surely it's in their brief :- to advertise & promote the market for the benefit of all: Visitors ,Traders & Management alike?
Does GSM / USM have a publicist to handle this ? One who'll also monitor Government & Council sites,plus other publications, so that we get a fair crack of the whip ?
And before someone comes up with, " But no market management does that & I've worked on 25 markets around the country blah -blah -blah," none of that stops it from being a good idea.
Come on GSM/USM, you must be keeping an eye on this, talk to us & let us know what you will do, to right the things that are wrong on your websites & signs etc..
A Trader.
Monday, July 07, 2008
A transport of delight
Re my previous post, I suppose in a way the signs in the market don't matter too much - after all, there's no-one there to read them...
I've been perturbed lately by the difficulty I've been having getting from Greenwich to Canary Wharf (I know it's pathetic but I can't survive without Waitrose). The Docklands Light Railway seems to be always out of action, but until now I've not really understood why. Well folks, it's planned maintenance. As opposed to unplanned maintenance?
I took a look at TfL's website and unearthed a "Planned Works on DLR" page. To save the more busy taking a look, here's the gist (my italics for emphasis):-
It's so hard for visitors to get to Greenwich now. Thank goodness they haven't ripped up the pier to put off river travellers - oh hang on...
I've been perturbed lately by the difficulty I've been having getting from Greenwich to Canary Wharf (I know it's pathetic but I can't survive without Waitrose). The Docklands Light Railway seems to be always out of action, but until now I've not really understood why. Well folks, it's planned maintenance. As opposed to unplanned maintenance?
I took a look at TfL's website and unearthed a "Planned Works on DLR" page. To save the more busy taking a look, here's the gist (my italics for emphasis):-
To allow DLR to meet passenger growth, construction work is taking place on the railway until early 2010. At times you may experience disruptions to services, but these will be kept to a minimum whenever possible.I'm sure you'll be delighted to know that they plan to provide no service to Cutty Sark station on the weekends of the 12th to 13th July, 26th to 27th July, 24th to 25th August, and 6th to 7th September. That's in addition to unplanned planned closures like there were last Friday.
The majority of this work is being carried out during weekends and at night... In addition, passengers who use DLR during weekdays will also experience some disruptions with service changes through West India Quay, reduced services between Crossharbour and Lewisham during the summer of 2008 and temporary closure of Tower Gateway station for 9 months from summer 2008.
It's so hard for visitors to get to Greenwich now. Thank goodness they haven't ripped up the pier to put off river travellers - oh hang on...
Market? What market?
I had to give directions to a couple of tourists the other day (an increasingly common task for locals). They were looking for Greenwich market. They were standing outside the Spanish Galleon. I wonder if their bafflement may have had something to do with the tarting up that's currently under way. And under wraps.
Here are some examples of what a visitor to Joseph Kay's splendid erection finds these days:
I'd like to pose a couple of questions to Greenwich Hospital. Given that you plan to start redevelopment in a year or so, couldn't this wait? If it had to be done, who thought the peak of the tourist season was good timing?
Here are some examples of what a visitor to Joseph Kay's splendid erection finds these days:
I'd like to pose a couple of questions to Greenwich Hospital. Given that you plan to start redevelopment in a year or so, couldn't this wait? If it had to be done, who thought the peak of the tourist season was good timing?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Here be dragons
Whistler had an email from an FoW:-
Hi WhistlerThe area shown doesn't extend to Greenwich, but you'd think there'd be a mention. This is supposed to be a map of markets that are all within easy reach of Central London. According to TfL, it takes between 37 and 50 minutes to get from Charing Cross to Shepherds Bush Market (which is shown), but only between 23 to 28 minutes to get to Greenwich Market. Ho hum.
Have a look at the following
www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm
You may notice something missing.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Pennypacker writes...
I've had a delightful little comment on "Pandora's tin of worms", which so jaw-droppingly misses the point of this site that I reproduce it in its entirety here:-
I'm a Trader, and I've got to say that this blog has got to be a joke right?I invite comments from you all.
A recession has kicked in, and its hitting small business harder than everyone else. This is because we don't have the marketing strength / large enough customer base to sustain a reasonable volume of sales through the rough periods.
We keep strict sales information and have noticed a change in customer spending habits. Customers are purchasing fewer expensive items and focusing more on our lower price points.
If your business is flexible, and you are smart enough to identify this, and then adjust your business accordingly – you stand a good chance at riding it out.
Those that aren't smart or flexible (or just stubborn – usually the traders who have been there for twenty years+) are starting to get hit hard, and in turn blaming the market and the management for THEIR loss of trade. It's funny how this blog appeared at the same time time things started getting financially rough for us in the market.
You'd be better off spending your time improving your business rather than moaning about the market. Remember USM / GSM are just landlords, and are not responsible for your success in the market. Ha! I bet I can even guess who wrote this blog. That's so lame.
– Pennypacker
Monday, June 09, 2008
A sign of the times - revisited
I just left a comment on the original post concerning the Food Market signs, but I think I should make more of it here. The OFFICIAL (never understood why they feel the need to shout about it) Greenwich Market website is, rightly, promoting its new food offering. The site is at http://www.greenwichmarket.net/ Here's what the home page looks like today:
All well and good, but what's missing? Just like the new blue banners, there's no mention whatever of arts, crafts, antiques or anything else. Just food. Note to traders - jack it in and start flogging food. Or fight back.
All well and good, but what's missing? Just like the new blue banners, there's no mention whatever of arts, crafts, antiques or anything else. Just food. Note to traders - jack it in and start flogging food. Or fight back.
Viva Italia!
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.
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.
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