Organisers of the now-closed farmers’ market in East Greenwich have confirmed they are looking at other venues in the area.
Despite initially being “very optimistic”, City & Country Farmers’ Markets took the “difficult decision” to cancel the market at Halstow School after it failed to attract enough business.
City & Country initially tried to launch the Saturday morning market at East Greenwich Pleasance before moving it across to the grounds of Halstow School.
A spokesperson commented, “We are very grateful that Halstow School agreed to let us use their grounds [but] we tend to think that one of the main problems was location as there is no real passing trade.”
“We are most definitely looking at other venues in the area…All suggestions are very welcome!”, added the spokesperson.
You can find out more about City and Country and contact them with your venue suggestions via their website.
It always seemed to me that the market lacked any kind of awareness – no leaflet drops, no posters etc. The belated chalkboard the last few weeks maybe, but I only found out about it from the Phantom. I went when I could and I bought and enjoyed what I could. I think most people just didn’t know it was there…
Throw some tarmac down on the old hospital / “heart of east Greenwich” site, and job done, surely?
Or maybe the “village square” at GMV?
Needs to be within walking distance of the Royal Naval College surely? Two markets in one trip!
I would really love to see the market back in East Greenwich Pleasance as long as everyone else was happy with this.
Hi James,
CC&FM did do two leaflet drops in the local area plus adverts in Greenwich Time and Greenwich Visitor. This here website also ran an article about it (yes, the article was by me, tooting my own horn time). But I think the location is the problem…
Merci.
I live behind Halstow PS so loved having the FM in my backgarden. I also loved it being in the Pleasance before that. I must admit though, towards the end, I felt that the quality, and moreso the variety, of produced was seriously beginning to lack. I understand that critical mass works in both directions – if there are not the customers, there is no point in hiring out the stall every week, but likewise without the variety of produce customers will not bother to come back. It also needs to be the kind of stuff people need to stock up on regularly – veg, meat/fish, eggs, dairy. As nice and all as some of the crafts and unusual items may have been, when the local community is your market, they will not be buying these items on a regular basis
I also wholeheartedly agree that there just wasnt the awareness. I would love to see the FM return to somewhere in East Greenwich, but would highly recommend you get your marketing in order first.
I supported it but would have done so more if there was a wider selection of well-priced fruit and veg and less high-priced fancy artisanal stuff. The balance was often too far towards the latter. I wish farmers’ markets were aimed more at providing bargain local fresh veg than at the yummy mummy contingent.
As for location:
How about that underused paved area near the Cutty Sark Tavern?
Or the grounds of John Roan (the modern building) – more visible than behind Halstow’s walls.
Or Blackheath High School, visible from well-used Vanbrugh Park road.
Or the car park on the north side of Westcombe Park station.
Or at the Forum (is there an outdoor space there?).
Jools Holland’s courtyard? 😉
I agree about the comments on fruit, veg and meat rather than crafts. As for venue, it needs to be where there are people already, so how about either car park at the standard (next to chippy or behind the pub) or in the green bit in the centre of the Standard?