'Salad queen' crowned market trader of year

SALAD queen" Serpil Erce has been crowned Islington's Market Trader of the Year 2009.

Serpil has run Sunny's Olive Tree stall at Whitecross Street market for two years, working Monday to Friday from February to December. Her loyal customers come from as far as Liverpool Street and Moorgate in the City, and it was they who put her forward for the council's prestigious award.

On a busy day, Serpil and her team serve up more than 200 salad boxes. She starts work in Whitecross Street at about 7am, but even before then she has spent hours preparing 14 types of fresh salad, with everything from carrot to coriander.

She says she wouldn't sell anything she wouldn't eat herself - and all her salad is made fresh each day. The only additives are olive oil, lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt.

"It's hard work - but it's good to work for yourself," said Sherpil, who won £300 of free trading. "It is lovely to work spring to autumn, very nice being outside, I would recommend it.

"Every single customer is very important. If they weren't here I wouldn't be here, the market wouldn't be here. To me they come here because they get friendly service - they don't want to see miserable faces."

In all, 249 customers nominated 21 traders for the second Market Trader of the Year title.

Councillor Lucy Watt, deputy leader of Islington Council, said: "There were a lot of very good entries and Serpil was a worthy winner. She's a shining example of the market traders who turn out to serve the public day in, day out, come rain or sun.

"We're very proud of all Islington's markets and committed to helping them go from strength to strength.

East Lindsey - New ideas to freshen up local markets

A NUMBER of proposed recommendations to shake-up markets in Spilsby and Mablethorpe are being looked at by East Lindsey District Council.

A review of local markets including those in Horncastle and Louth was launched back in April to consider a number of ideas to make markets more attractive to shoppers and traders.

Now, business development manager at ELDC, Alison McDonald has written to all market traders briefing them on some of the suggestions which are to be put before the council's Scrutiny B committee on Monday.

In her letter Alison McDonald said: "The most frequent comment we received through the market consultation was regarding the poor appearance of markets, and in particular the number of vacant stalls, early packing up by some traders and the uncoordinated/untidy look of the stalls."

Particular suggestions to resolve these issues include work to improve the appearance of stalls, providing new canopies for stalls, and a fixed closure time for all traders.

There are also recommendations to help existing stall holders and to attract new ones. These include a trader referral scheme to reward traders who introduce new stallholders to the markets, rewarding new traders with a rent free week, increasing the holiday entitlement from two to six weeks and a multi-stall incentive to encourage existing traders to try new lines.

A spokesperson for ELDC said: "The Scrutiny B committee is looking at how the markets can be made more vibrant and how they can be improved.

"Alot of the recommendations are based on the comments made my the local community and traders during the review period."

The recommendations will ultimately go before the councils Executive Board and a final decision is likely to be made in Spring 2010.

Market traders are invited to pass their comments on the proposals to Alison McDonald

Rushcliffe - Market traders' licence revoked

Market traders are protesting at the withdrawal of their licence to trade on a Saturday after a competitor opened a shop nearby in Nottinghamshire.

Grocery stallholders Gillian and Dean Kerry have traded at Bingham's Thursday market for 18 years and were granted a one-year Saturday licence in May.

But two months later Rushcliffe Borough Council decided to revoke permission.

Officials said the stall could affect trade at newly-opened Raw fruit and vegetable shop.

'Morally unfair'

The Kerrys' licence ran out at the end of September but they have decided to carry on opening every Saturday in protest at the decision.

They have collected 600 signatures on a petition against the withdrawal of their licence.

The couple said they invested £20,000 in the stall in preparation for the extra day's trading and will have to make staff redundant if the decision is not reversed.

Mrs Kerry said: "We are standing up against a decision we think is morally unfair and anti-competitive."

Colin Bullett, the council's deputy chief executive, said: "When we granted him the licence we were unaware that, at the same time, a fruit and vegetable shop was in the process of opening on the market place.

"We therefore needed to reconsider the matter and felt that the vibrancy of the town continues to be heavily dependent on the occupancy and successful trading of the shops and that ad hoc trading from the marketplace would have a detrimental effect."

NEW LOOK CHORLEY MARKET OFFICIALLY OPENS

CHORLEY’S new look Covered Market was officially opened on Friday following a major revamp to improve the shopping experience.

The popular market, owned and managed by Chorley Council, has proved a hit with both visitors and traders who have been impressed with the new appearance.

The work, funded by the council, has provided dramatic new entrances, a covered central aisle, bright new lighting, a more spacious layout and new flooring with clearly marked access.

Councillor Peter Malpas, Chorley Council’s Executive Member (Business), said: “The whole market is a lot more attractive for customers and traders alike and the roof not only keeps the worst of the weather out, it is also creating a bustling atmosphere.


“The new look market is proving very popular with an increase in the take up of market stalls on market days and more visitors and that should help boost trade within the town centre.”

Market trader John Brennand who has run a ladies clothing stall on the market for more than 30 years is delighted with the new look.

He said: “The market is looking fantastic now and we and our customers find it so much better. The investment into the market is welcome, it is a big improvement and it is attracting more people. These are exciting times for Chorley Market.”