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"If there are any local butchers, fishmongers etc then why don't they contact the market organisers? "Probably it hasn’t been made clear to them that they can become part of the Market, and think it's being run on the same lines as the old Farmers Market"To confirm we have approached local butchers, fishmongers etc  There are not many of them!  Out of these discussions Poisson and Rubin the Baker joined the market."They seem to have made it clear they want it to be a local market. I have seen adverts all around the town! We have a growing number of local businesses/ start-ups involved, but the H&S requirements, capital and other demands of starting a market stall based business should not be underestimated.  "I think the Brentford Market should be a street market, offering goods at prices that all local people can afford, Farmers Markets are very good with normally a better quality of food, which does end being that much dearer than the local businesses, so are only serving a percentage of the residents.""I think you will have to look a bit further afield for some of the traders that are required to run a street market as there are very few in Brentford,  maybe look in a 5 mile radius of the market"We have been looking in 5 mile radius and beyond.  We are deliberate NOT a Farmers market as we are trying to achieve a sensible balance between quality and price.If there are specific traders at specific price points that you would like us to approach, please let us know and we can explore the logistics.  "After posting all that I still think the volunteers are doing a good job, and have managed to get the market up and running, no mean feet in this day and age."Thanks.  Its been very hard graft and long hours for all concerned.Best, Andrew

Andrew Dakers ● 4420d

Hi Ian, are you around during the week when the organisation 'still carries on'? Yes, been there, got the tee shirt, appeared in the video, thrown out because I was never at home, ex market inspector drafted in to oversee the running of market I  don't think people realise how much time and effort goes into running a community event when volunteers have full time jobs. I do I've carried out many community events as a volunteer (but never again)I think the market team are doing a great job.They are, but need a help in how to handle battle harden market traders If there are any local butchers, fishmongers etc then why don't they contact the market organisers? Probably it hasn’t been made clear to them that they can become part of the Market, and think it's being run on the same lines as the old Farmers Market  They seem to have made it clear they want it to be a local market. I have seen adverts all around the town! I think the Brentford Market should be a street market, offering goods at prices that all local people can afford, Farmers Markets are very good with normally a better quality of food, which does end being that much dearer than the local businesses, so are only serving a percentage of the residents.  I think you will have to look a bit further afield for some of the traders that are required to run a street market as there are very few in Brentford,  maybe look in a 5 mile radius of the market  After posting all that I still think the volunteers are doing a good job, and have managed to get the market up and running, no mean feet in this day and age.

Ian Roberts ● 4420d

It truly saddens me that despite Andrew Dakar's assurances that my complaint dated 07/06/2013 would be taken seriously and that investigations were being carried out, I have not had any contact from him since then nor have I received an explanation or apology for the despicable actions of the organisers at the market.Please let me clarify to all of you following this thread, I was extremely pleased about the market and like many of you found it pleasant to stroll through it on a Sunday morning with my family. However the awful treatment I received at the hands of the organisers when I held a cake stall to raise funds for a local community project has raised many questions. Such as why is there only one business based in Brentford?In Andrew's reply to my posting, he seeks clarification on my mention of Brentford residents and Businesses being a priority.let me explain what I meant - The organisers' only priority were the other traders and how they reacted to me being there, they did not care that I was there to raise funds for a local project, that I was a Brentford resident myself and also a Brentford based business owner.Since Andrew has brought up priorities, let me also say any claim that Brentford based businesses are given priority at the market is a categorical lie. Completely separately from the community stall I applied mid April this year to hold a cake stall in the market. Initially I was told there was already one lady running a cake stall on alternative weeks  but i could have a stall on the weeks she was not there. I then tried to confirm the booking by email and received no answer, I managed to get through to one of the organisers by phone and was told as Maids of honour and the coffee stall were selling cakes they didn't want to create competition for them. So a the lady based in ISLEWORTH is fine to be there on alternative weeks but my business based in Brentford has no place in the market? it is also worth nothing the cake business  that was allowed hold a stall only started their business this May!(according to their facebook page)The organisers have now left me no choice but to escalate the matter.

Rania Masri ● 4426d

It truly saddens me that despite Andrew Dakar's assurances that my complaint dated 07/06/2013 would be taken seriously and that investigations were being carried out, I have not had any contact from him since then nor have I received an explanation or apology for the despicable actions of the organisers at the market.Please let me clarify to all of you following this thread, I was extremely pleased about the market and like many of you found it pleasant to stroll through it on a Sunday morning with my family. However the awful treatment I received at the hands of the organisers when I held a cake stall to raise funds for a local community project has raised many questions. Such as why is there only one business based in Brentford?In Andrew's reply to my posting, he seeks clarification on my mention of Brentford residents and Businesses being a priority.let me explain what I meant - The organisers' only priority were the other traders and how they reacted to me being there, they did not care that I was there to raise funds for a local project, that I was a Brentford resident myself and also a Brentford based business owner.Since Andrew has brought up priorities, let me also say any claim that Brentford based businesses are given priority at the market is a categorical lie. Completely separately from the community stall I applied mid April this year to hold a cake stall in the market. Initially I was told there was already one lady running a cake stall on alternative weeks  but i could have a stall on the weeks she was not there. I then tried to confirm the booking by email and received no answer, I managed to get through to one of the organisers by phone and was told as Maids of honour and the coffee stall were selling cakes they didn't want to create competition for them. So a the lady based in ISLEWORTH is fine to be there on alternative weeks but my business based in Brentford has no place in the market? it is also worth nothing the cake business  that was allowed hold a stall only started their business this May!(according to their facebook page)The organisers have now left me no choice but to escalate the matter.

Rania Masri ● 4426d

Dear all, Rania's complaint has been formally submitted to me as Chair of Brentford High Street Steering Group.  We take this seriously and will investigate and respond to the allegations made of:- Bullying;- Complaints about the selling of cake; and- Not prioritising Brentford-based businesses. On this final point I will be seeking to clarify how this relates to a booking taken for a local charity.By way of background we have clear terms of trade which can be accessed in the 'About' section of the Brentford Market website (www.brentfordmarket.com) or directly here: https://brentfordmarket.sqsp.com/s/Brentford-Market-Terms-and-Conditions-v11.pdfThe market is not attempting to meet everyone's needs - it would be impossible with a market license for fifteen pitches.  We work to ensure that stalls are of good quality, reasonably affordable and fully compliant with legislative and regulatory requirements.There are a range of other general traders on Brentford High Street from the Polish Deli to Morrisons.  We are not setting the market up to compete with but generally compliment the services they provide, giving people an additional reason to come to the town centre.Of the fifteen stalls each Sunday, crudely 9-10 are allocated to a core group of traders, 3-4 are street food (changing slightly each week) and two are allocated to community groups, which change every week.  In the case of Rania's stall for Brentford Toy Library it was booked into one of the community groups' slots (these are less than the commercial rate).I am delighted to say that generally the feedback we have received has been extremely positive.  Approximately 1000 people come each Sunday from Brentford and beyond, including today.  To reiterate, the volunteer team that run the market take the complaint extremely seriously and are looking hard at the allegations made.Yours sincerely,Andrew DakersChair, Brentford High Street Steering Group

Andrew Dakers ● 4442d