The proposed market aims to;
– support the local economy, providing opportunities for very small, local independent traders, producers and craft people
– bring more people into Carshalton village
– provide a regular event to bring the local community together, offering social interaction for families in a healthy outdoor environment
The proposed market will be monthly, comprising initially of around 10 stalls. It will have a mix of food, craft and other local businesses selling products. The Carshalton Village Market will be different to the Farmers’ Markets that we run. At Farmers’ Markets the produce on sale has to be grown, reared, caught or made within a 40 mile radius by the producer running the stall. The Carshalton Village Market will prioritise very local businesses within an approximate 2 miles radius of Carshalton. So the focus will be for the business, rather than their product, to be local. Existing local businesses have been invited and we expect to have enough stalls to start on Saturday 22nd June.
We do not intend for the market to compete with Carshalton traders or the Wallington Farmers’ Market. The market will extend the High Street and will seek to promote the existing Carshalton High Street traders.
If successful we’ll expand the market by inviting local, Carshalton based voluntary sector groups to take part including Friends of The Grove, Friends of Carshalton Park, Friends of Honeywood, Friends of the Water Tower, Carshalton Mums, FROLIC, the Carshalton Lavender Group, and Ecolocal projects etc. We find that other markets we run are appreciated for the way they bring people together. People stop to chat with each other and enjoy engaging with the stall holders.
EcoLocal are experienced at running markets and local events. We run the Wallington Farmers’ Market, Sutton Produce and Craft Market, the Carshalton Environmental Fair and the Carshalton Frost Fair. We are also starting a pilot Farmers’ Market in North Cheam and a Produce and Craft market in WorcesterPark. We are delighted to work with Carshalton Mums who have an excellent local network of parents keen to support local activities, and have the enthusiasm and energy to support the instigation of a Carshalton Market. Carshalton Mums have gathered the following feedback from their members:
- Carshalton Mums members have expressed concern at the closure of many local shops on Carshalton High Street, particularly the recent closure of the butchers and the greengrocers.
- Many local mums benefit from these local shops. As well as providing their families with healthy, local produce, they provide the opportunity for daily face-to-face interaction in their otherwise often isolated roles.
- Local shops provide a focus for the community and encourage community cohesion and pride in our local area.
- Carshalton Mums feel it is important for our children to have the opportunity to visit local shops and benefit from the human interaction and understanding of local food and produce that supermarkets cannot provide.
- Carshalton Mums believe a regular market in our area will provide a positive counterpoint to the closure of local shops and give the community an important, positive focal point.
- An outdoor market in the park will encourage families to visit the park and interact with other members of their community in a healthy environment; it will also improve their knowledge of the local area and local businesses and encourage them to support their local traders.
- We feel the market will be a positive experience for parents and children, improving their understanding of how local produce is grown or made and how local businesses work.
- Click on http://www.ecolocalmarkets.org.uk/index.php/carshalton-village-market-launched/ for more details…
Local councillors Alan, Jill and Hamish wish the market every success.