On top of Old Smokey

This is a follow-up to "Smoke gets in your eyes..." which rather than relegating to a comment I think deserves its own space. I have been given the minutes of the first Market Trader Representative Meeting held on the 20th April 2008. GSM/USM were represented by Barny, Patrycja, Ben and John Burton.

Item 3 concerns the new Wednesday market.

The traders asked: Can we cook on site?

GSM/USM replied: This will depend on the individual e.g crepes or bain marie or microwave ok. No smelly or smoky activity allowed, nor a common seating area. Individual seats at stalls allowed.

I repeat; No smelly or smoky activity allowed.

So why the change? And if they didn't find it acceptable for Wednesdays, why is it now allowed on every trading day?

There's a new old joke doing the rounds in the market: How can you tell if the market managers are lying? Their lips move.

No sign of improvement

I've been asked by a commenter to bring the "A sign of the times?" post back to the top. I'm delighted to oblige, but I'd rather do a new a new post on the topic, so here goes...

Oh dear. Despite a promise given by a member of GSM's management to erect signs giving proper information about market opening, they have not done so. What has appeared is a replacement for one of the signs. On the side not visible to people entering the market is information on the weekend market. On the other, more noticed, side is this:

Same trumpeting of the food market again. I notice the time has been changed - so at least the traders will be a little less harassed when packing up at 5:30. Unless the customers read the other two signs which are still in place, in which case they'll still expect the traders to stay in place until 7. And not open before 11 in the morning. That's bad enough for weekend traders, but do spare a thought for the antiques folk who kick off a good four hours before that. Still, that's probably academic as the new sign doesn't mention Thursday and Friday at all.

Now look GSM, this is not rocket science. What your customers (market traders - remember them?) require is signage that informs the public what is on offer and when. It couldn't be simpler. If you need a hint on how it's done, take a look at any shop. Or you could even pick up a clue from your own sign that you took down, just insert Wednesday:

And while you're at it, how about putting up a sign by the office giving the same information?

Earth calling USM

If you'd like a taste of how out of touch with the market Urban Space Management is, just take a look at their wonderful website (at http://www.urbanspace.com/greenwich_market.html).

The first line says:

The Royal Charter covered market is situated in the heart of London’s “Millennium Village” and has over two and a half million visitors a year.

That's odd - I thought the Millennium Village was in the Greenwich peninsula, nowhere near Greenwich Market.

Do watch the slideshow while you're at the website and indulge in a bit of nostalgia at all those traders, artists, goods and "Greenwich Market" signs that just aren't there any more.

The website is also a great place to get clued up on how many markets USM don't manage any more.

A web of deceit

It's been quite a day today. Every time I think I've done my last post for the day, another email flops onto my doormat. The latest concerns my previous post - here's the nub:-

...when you view the [Greenwich Market] site freshly each time you get a new main picture. As far as I can see there are two that might come up. One of them is a bit of a cheat as it wasn't taken on a Wednesday. See if you can see what's wrong with the other one.

Well, I love a challenge and I did laugh when I spotted the cheekiness. Most of the time one views the page this is what appears:

As my correspondent points out, this bustling scene doesn't depict a Wednesday, but was clearly taken on a Saturday or Sunday. Anyone who has been to the Wednesday market may have noticed more tumbleweed than traders (or customers). I do think it's a little naughty to suggest to visitors that they'll be enjoying a vibrant market. Still, at least it's Greenwich...

Sometimes this picture appears instead:

Initially my eye was drawn to the juicy peppers. Then the prices. I did detect a certain wrongness straight away but it took a few moments to fully understand my correspondent's comment. If you haven't spotted it yet, let me pose you a question: where the hell is this? Check out the stall design, the buildings and the clear daylight. This wasn't taken in Greenwich Market! I'm doubtful this is even Greenwich.

I like to be helpful, so here's another picture for USM to put on their site - I'd say it's as relevant, local and truthful as the OFFICIAL pictures.