Forum Topic

Brentford Market

Shame.. I always tried to support it, but it never really attracted enough stalls long term.There were some really good ones in the early days,I know people complained about prices, etc., but I like shopping somewhere thathas stuff I can't get elsewhere- and it did brighten up the High Street on a Sunday,

Mark Gormley ● 2505d10 Comments

You don't get passing trade with a themed sunday market. People go there because it's a pleasant thing to do. Hence the BBC piece just yesterday on the revival and success of Altringham market.Trouble is having the Market alongside a live road is both noisy and a little dangerous for uncontrolled kids and larger crowds so an area away from that would be an improvement.Nor is there any cover from inclement weather. Even trees help a bit with that.It works well on Ealing Green with the French and German Touring markets.The existing space is not that bad but it's just not quite right for anything to thrive and expand. But it's hard to see what could be done to improve that. If it was thriving then a food/cafe entertainment area and a trading area could use both areas. But again, footfall won't be enough it has to attract people by car and bus to be viable.  Exactly the same issues that are killing off high streets and shopping parades all over.

Raymond Havelock ● 2496d

If the apartments on the south side of the high street ever get redeveloped there will be a much higher population right on the doorstep of the market which will increase footfall. That should improve the prospects of a market. Sadly there are very few worthwhile shops on the high street to attract people from further afield.

Christopher Gillie ● 2496d

You wouldn't get the passing trade in The Butts, surely, even if allowed.

Anne England ● 2497d

The obvious place in on the square in the Butts just a few yards away. A really pleasant place for a small market and away from the noise and dirt.  High street is generally clean and tidy, not a good as it could be but where in Brentford is? That said, Ealing streets are filthy by comparison and that was something that could never be said of the place for decades.

Raymond Havelock ● 2497d

I believe that the meat and veg. woman is interested in taking over the licence to the market and that apart from her the 'olive man' is interested in staying. I hope she succeeds and manages to bring the market back to life although this could prove difficult over the winter months.

Anne England ● 2498d

My guess is that people don't like to browse and shop in such a deprived looking, litter strewn area amongst derelict old warehouses and terrible looking furniture stores. The Richmond Market seems to do OK.

Steve Taylor ● 2498d

The One in West Ealing on a saturday is turning the whole of West Ealing around and brought a buzz back to the whole shopping area.Shame about the Brentford one but it just underlines that this is a Ribbon town and not a town with a central focus.  That's not such a bad thing but it is so deluded to have desires based on something Brentford has never really had.  It has been denied so many opportunities to make it a great place all over rather than emphasis just one part at the expense of the rest with little hope of that ever being a success.The Market failing is simply an indication of what will come unless some serious creative input , genuine clever innovative and harmonious architecture, and common sense are injected into bolstering what little good bits remain.

Raymond Havelock ● 2504d

The Chiswick Market in Duke's Meadows is thriving- with little or no passing trade. It's what's on offer that brings in the punters.

Mark Gormley ● 2504d

The Galata Pera Turkish has survived several years with no passing traffic but it seems busier than ever.  BTW it’s a lovely restaurant, the food is fresh and delicious.Not sure how Poppadums has survived many years as I rarely see more than a handful of diners in there?

Reg Ghosh ● 2505d

In some ways I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did, it's become the 'norm' for every town or area to now have street markets at weekends and to me there simply isn't the footfall within Brentford town centre on a Sunday morning to sustain it.Talking of which I give the new Italian restaurant at the former Fire Station not more than 6 months, I hope I'm proved wrong as it looks very nicely done from the outside but I think too many businesses these days don't properly study the area they're moving into - yes there's Ferry Quays behind it but otherwise there's low footfall and passing traffic will barely notice it.

Adam Beamish ● 2505d