Read the Sunday papers with any degree of regularity and you might think that markets are springing up all over the place, that the foodie revolution has saved local producers and retailers and we are tripping down to the butchers, local markets and fishmongers with ease and slapping our well rounded thighs in celebration. Of course, you'd be wrong. More and more of London's and, indeed the countries, traditional markets are under threat from the ever voracious appetites of supermarkets, property developers, and more often than not the underhand machinations of local politicians. A case in point is Queen's Market in Newham. This covered market serves one of the most ethnically diverse areas of London and is over a hundred years old. It's a sad story of local people having to organise against a frankly Orwellian local council, the political sway of Asda/Walmart and crooked property developers. Visit the Friends of Queen's Market website here.
1 comment:
I would agree that traditional markets, proper smelly, messy markets full of raw materials and foodstuffs seem to be disappearing. While we in theory have more and more 'farmer's markets' opening up - most of them are no more than a cluster of cute cappucino and brownie stalls with the odd pile of kale and turnips thrown in for good measure. I don't know Queen's Market personally as its not really near me - but I hope this isn't another situation where the council have already made up their mind and are oblivious to all the protests. Does anyone remember when Spittalfields was a proper organic market on Sundays? It seems like a long time ago...
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