TOTTENHAM GREEN MARKET ! Seven Sisters get it's own market ~ take a look!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 5, 2014 at 11:35

By not welcome I mean that many will be priced out of it or feel excluded from it as I've said before. Now that's it. You are the troll Billy, not I. Give it a rest! Why are you so emotional about this? Enjoy the market, enjoy your day.

Permalink Reply by Abi on July 5, 2014 at 11:42

So you think things are only worth doing if they cater to a majority? 

Personally I think the market has a much broader appeal than what you seem to have decided (having not bothered to visit) but I still think that's an odd basis for your argument. 

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 5, 2014 at 11:52

Abs, I've looked at what's on offer on the website and will pop a long later. There's no argument. I think it would be wise to have a more inclusive market, perhaps that's what it will become. Cheers, enjoy your Day :-)

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 5, 2014 at 12:24

I've been as plain as day about this, what do you think inclusive means? I take it as to embrace and include all regardless of ethnicity, social class, culture, sexuality. I mean that in terms of access to the market stalls themselves and also to the venue as a social event.

Permalink Reply by JJ B on July 4, 2014 at 4:44

I only passed by the TG market towards the end of it on my way back from work. It is great if it went well, especially considering the wet weather on the day.
Tottenham Green has been revamped and already more people are using it to spend time there on the benches and grass. The market can only help make it the social space it should be and I think that's what everyone wants of our local green.

It is great to be able to buy locally made, quality food - Flourish bread, Wilde's cheeses and locally brewed beers that one can't find in any local shops. Having great street food is a must to attract punters and get them to linger, as is the music.
I get Billy Hole's point about what is already available in the area, but I've been privy to an email from someone who says they represent the black diaspora. It mentioned that the market didn't seem to cater for them and as a mulatto myself I tend to agree. But I recognise that this is only the start and a trial run. So I do hope that Jessica will make attempts to do source quality providers that do represent the full diversity of the area both in terms of food but also the music (e.g a steel band ?) There are loads of 'people' from the african diaspora' and other 'diversities' who do quality ....having diversity doesn't mean having cheap and nasty. Much of it is about how it is presented.
There is also the issue of class and I guess we are falling into the improvement vs gentrification argument/trap. I think essentially these 'markets' cannot be seen as places to do your weekly shopping but rather social gatherings for people to come together and spend time. That's why I think it is important to try and attract everyone to them by having the right mix of stalls and activities.

NB the Tesco's at 7 Sisters is often more expensive than Waitrose!

Permalink Reply by Yvonne Field on July 4, 2014 at 9:41

Jessica, I was not the woman who asked for a jerk chicken stall...and I spoke to someone from the Bernie Grant centre and she told me it was being used for toilet access only.
I refer to £100 a week for the Latin market stall holders by Wards Corner...
Thanks for letting me know that Adam was away this week....
My issue is about access...I would like to hear from those who could not jump through the hoops to get a for profit only stall....including what was their cultural diversity....the Latin market has plenty of great food stalls (not sure if they are artisan enough though), so I assume they must have passed through something.However, did they even know about this business opportunity? I went to Tottenham Ploughman's event back in May..it was a very nice middle class event....but it also felt very exclusive....black people there stuck out like a sore thumb....we need to think about what we are creating..what kind of place do we want our children to grow up in..Tottenham is in danger of becoming two worlds and with its history of uprisings...I wouldn't like to see a situation boiling up and over..fuelled by privilege versus dispossession.....

I am pleased that Sharon raised this issue in the first instance as I was wondering what is it that were noticing that we don't really want to see...or speak about. Please join OT group..we need more brave people, regardless of ethnicity....who are not afraid to speak out and want to help facilitate social change. Next meeting Thursday 19th July 7.00pm 639 Enterprise Centre....639 Tottenham High Road. I had better get on with my real work now!

Permalink Reply by JJ B on July 4, 2014 at 10:21

Jessica do you run/operate the market for profit i.e is it what you do to make a living? I think it is very important for you to say and I understand your position if this is so. It is great that you are taking all this 'risk' on. People need to understand this and that you aren't just being given the stalls and equipment for free. They need to understand that there are costs involved in running any sort of market and the amount of time and effort it takes you to do this. I commend your efforts and do wish that the market is a success both for you and for Tottenham.

I admit a selfish interest in that Flourish bakery makes some of the best croissants I've tasted in London - I am half french/half Trini and lived in Paris or years.

The Latin American market at Wards Corner is indeed a different place and these are NOT mutually exclusive. They do not compete but, quite the contrary complement each other very nicely. I also take the point about not having stalls that compete with Bloomin' Scent Cafe in Bernie Grant although I don't see why there can't eventually be West Indian food stalls. The thing is more variety and more stalls mean more people would come to Tottenham to spend time because they would have options. It would in turn provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs and people to create businesses and create their own work locally.

But that isn't Jessica's job is it - she's already doing her part.

The community here is made up of MANY diverse constituencies, ethnicities, etc and we all have to learn to get on together. This 'class warfare' is destructive but the 'regeneration/gentrification' agenda is a serious threat to many people who live here NOW. What people really want is alround improvement not development that displaces them.

But people do need to take some responsibility for creating their own opportunities too, e.g The Swan which was once a West Indian hang out has been refurbished by a successful Green Lanes Turkish restaurant. Why didn't some West Indian business person seek to refurbish it and create a successful black business?

Permalink Reply by pamish on July 4, 2014 at 17:43

The Swan was last run as an African restaurant (sorry I don't know which country) but must have not succeeded. The annual rent is £20,000 + £10k rates IIRC.

I hope they can show at least a trace of the historic value of the pub, where Isaac Walton wrote The Compleat Angler in1653.

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 4, 2014 at 10:05

I am away from the 19th, Yvonne but am interested in attending future meetings.

Permalink Reply by pamish on July 4, 2014 at 17:37

You can sign up to the Our Tottenham mailing list here, and check for updates, their next meeting is Thursday 15th. 

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 4, 2014 at 9:49

Well said JJB, let the market *be* a place for everyone in our community and not just a social gathering for the chattering classes.

Permalink Reply by Sharon on July 4, 2014 at 14:33

I haven't insulted anybody at all! Wind your neck in, Billy. You are coming across all unnecessary again.

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