Forum Topic

Market Stall update in Market Square

I have been trading now in Brentford for 5 weeks and during that time I have made new friends and got to know the local community in Brentford.However from a business point of view I am sad to report that the stall is not attracting enough customer's and has been running with a loss during the last two weeks.Even although my prices are well below my main competitor ( Morrison's ), and I strive to offer first class produce,it still hasn't attract enough customers to be viable in the long run.As a last ditch attempt I will be offering free home delivery within the Brentford area, and in doing so hopefully generate enough business to keep the market stall going until it is viable.The stall will be closed until Thursday the 8 of December 2011.This will allow me to compile a price list and a leaflet to take advantage of free home delivery's to my customers within the Brentford area.It would be a sad day indeed after a 40 year absence to see the return of a market stall on market square die due to lack of interest.I would appreciate feedback to this posting, be it positive or negative so that I have a better understanding as what the general feeling is to having a market stall in Market Square in Brentford.This will allow me to understand what it is people really are looking for in terms of service, price and produce.Kind regards,Marcel Greve   

Marcel Greve ● 5231d24 Comments

Hi Marcel, what day will you be in brentford this week, so i can plan my shopping.thanks

Jillian Crowcroft ● 5196d

Venture hasn't been abandoned as of yet although I incurred heavy losses.Because of the x-mass period / new years exchange I was forced to replace my entire stock, a cost of almost 3000 pounds, also I am pretty busy setting up a home delivery service although there has been a delay with regards leaflets being printed. Besides from that I will get in touch with Lima from the Hounslow Chronical she has offered me some free advertisement.Regards, and Happy new year to allMarcel Greve.I be back in Brentford some time this week and look forward to a more rewarding start of the new year.

Marcel Greve ● 5198d

I'm guessing this venture has been abandoned?

Bernadette Paul ● 5201d

I've just been down to the Market Square armed with carrier bags ready to buy all my fruit and veg for the Christmas period for a family of 10. I was so disappointed to discover that there was no stall. This on 22nd December in the middle of the day. Marcel - come back!!!!

Deborah Hall ● 5216d

hi Marcel - could you post days/times you'll be around - gladly buy from you but like others I need to know when you'll be there so I don't make a wasted journey. I'm interested in the home delivery idea too. FR Tim

Tim Carruthers ● 5221d

An indoor market would be an ideal option for you. Here's hoping...

Diana Oppe ● 5224d

Unfortunately Diana when the weather is bad the stall is unable to operate as it just would not attract any customers, however with the delivery service in place people are still able to get there produce during the winter months irrelevant of the bad weather.Moving forward I am hoping that if the old magistrates is turned into an indoor market I be able to secure a permanent spot there, that way the stall no longer will be influenced as much by bad weather.Regards,Marcel

Marcel Greve ● 5225d

This is the problem Marcel!

Diana Oppe ● 5225d

Due to severe weather the market stall will not be operating today.

Marcel Greve ● 5225d

Market stall is closed today due to a breakdown of the van after a lorry hit the rear end side.Repairs are being carried out and the van will be back on the road at the end of today.Business as usual weather permitting Tuesday 12 December at 08:30 amI apologise for the disruption.Kind regards,Marcel

Marcel Greve ● 5226d

marcel if you give me a call on 07795645288 i can put something in the chronicle if you want? lima curtis

Lima Curtis ● 5226d

Thanks, your support is much appreciated, this week I be launching the delivery service as soon as the leaflets and price list are published I will start doing a delivery service for those who are unable to come to the market stall.

Marcel Greve ● 5226d

Have bought from you today rather than going to Tesco.

Chris Dakers ● 5228d

Indeed...We also made a visit purposely to buy supper one day last week and sadly there was no stall. It does take time to build up a clientele, and regularity & reliability are key to this. Having said that, the veg is of good quality, much better than the alternative on the High Street, and I would rather support a local trader so please keep trying for a while longer.

Diana Oppe ● 5229d

Well Marcel now I am double disappointed - having not wanted to even go out I pulled on my Uggs, muffled up and set off with my trusty shopping trolley to load up with fruit & veg only to discover you were not there - again!  I don't blame you the weather is not great for standing around in the open but, if you are not there people cannot buy.  Hope to see you sometime in the future.

Bernadette Paul ● 5230d

Hello MarcelI bought some goods from you the other week and I have to say they were really good!  A cucumber I bought is now about 2 weeks old and still firm and good to eat.  I decided yesterday that it was my duty to go to your stall and buy as much as possible to support you.  I made a very circuitous journey to Sth Ealing and back via Northfields to the Half Acre only to discover you were not there!  However, I shall seek you out today and buy as much as I can manage (providing you have what I want).  I too think you are very brave and hope you are successful but people do need to get used to you being there and that unfortunately can take time.  I can confirm that your produce was good and far superior to Morrisons and the other greengrocer in the Half Acre.  Good Luck

Bernadette Paul ● 5230d

Hi Marcel.In addition to Morrissons, there is already a fruit and veg shop in the high street and they have late opening hours. I'm not vouching for their quality, but I suspect people are aware of them and not of you.We don't spend much time in the high street because it has had so little to offer, so you won't get much passing trade. You might need to let more people know you are there.  If you have a good variety of fresh produce, you should be able to attract people if they know when and where to find you.Good luck. I look forward to buying some fruit and veg from you.

Holly Hodges ● 5230d

It used to be lot different before the greedy developers got their hands on the place in the late fifties.There must be been more uncompleted developments and unnecessary destruction of decent homes and shops in Brentford than other London Boroughs at the time 

Paul Allen ● 5230d

Hi Keith, I don't hate Brentford, I just think it's a typical small place within the urban sprawl of London, a place that serves a function for the day to day needs of its immediate locality, but nothing more.I like going for a run via the canal mouth at the Island and then along the towpath etc. :-)

Adam Beamish ● 5231d

Adam,is there ANYTHING at all that about Brentford that you(I hesistate to say like) don't dislike about it?

Keith Iddon ● 5231d

I presume you are the trader who was occupying the sole market stall when I drove through Brentford on Saturday morning.At the time I thought "poor sod" and my only surprise upon reading your post is that you have 'only' been running at a loss during the last two weeks.Don't waste your time on researching the home delivery idea, simply give up on Brentford as a trading location.  Sorry to be so hard but it's that simple.

Adam Beamish ● 5231d

Hi Marcel - I guess you are the new fruit and veg man! I am pleased to see you there, but didn't realise it was a permanent thing as no advertising etc. I would like to support you, as when I've wandered by, your fruit and veg does look good, and definitely fresher than other produce locally! Home delivery would suit me very well as I have tennis elbow and carrying shopping definitely aggravates it! Good luck!

Helen Martin ● 5231d

MarcelIt could also be an advertising issue.  People need to know you are there and what it is you offer.Your post does not tell us what it is you are selling.  If your produce is good and is priced favourably compared to Morrisons I suspect there will still be a significant local demand for it, but you may need a strategy for connecting with potential buyers.  Once you have achieved that word of mouth takes over and does the job for you.I wish you all the best.

Phil Andrews ● 5231d

It is a brave attempt Marcel but Brentford does not have enough people to sustain a single market stall.If it was a part of a small market with meat stalls,cheese etc.,once a week(Wed.is the traditional day)you may have more of a chance.Brentford is fast becoming a dormitory town with flats and hotels akimbo.It is not a destination town like Kingston,Richmond,Chiswick and Ealing.Well,not yet anyway.I am sorry it is  not working out for you.

Keith Iddon ● 5231d