Page 25 - Market Times April 2024

FEATURE • ALLY PALLY
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Soumaia Chetouan is pictured on the unusual fresh fish stall on Ally Pally market
“This is a beautiful market and the people are lovely,” he said.
Street food is important on Ally Pally market, boosting footfall and enhancing its reputation.
And there is plenty of choice, from food from countries far away to local favourites.
Emily Coull has been serving on The Giggly Pig for two years, although the business has been trading on Ally Pally market since 2007.
There is an unusual back story to the business. The owner, Tracy Mackness, served time after she was caught in a drugs raid, and learned pig husbandry when she was in an open prison. When she was re- leased she started keeping pigs and now runs a successful business selling pork products and serving hot pork burgers and sausages on markets in London and Essex. She has written a book about her experi- ences.
Emily said: “I love it on this market. It’s
Emily Coull has been selling pork products including hot burgers and sausages at Ally Pally market for the past two years for the award-winning pork business, The Giggly Pig
very sociable with a lot of hustle and bustle.”
Khieron James also likes the buzz of the market and has a loyal following for his raw, vegan food which he brands Rainfor- est Creations.
But his business is about more than just making a living. Khi started the business 17 years ago after a family member died of cancer. His mantra is a bible quote: “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine by thy food”.
“I had started really thinking about the importance of diet for a healthy life, and decided that raw, vegan food was impor- tant. It’s been a struggle to make a living sometimes, but it’s about something more important than that,” said Khi, who hopes that his tasty, vegan food will encourage more people to try a different diet.
From raw vegan to tasty pork sausages, Ally Pally has something to everyone’s taste, from fresh fish sold from a rowing boat to meat from cattle that grazed in Brecon. It’s a perfect, authentic farmers’ market bringing the best of country fare into the capital.
FACTS & FIGURES
l Market days: Every Sunday. When Alexandra Palace stages shows or events, a core of essential traders set up stall at nearby Campsbourne School.
l Market rent: From £50 to £90 a pitch
l Alexandra Palace’s claim to fame: located in North London, Alexandra Palace is most famous as the home of the BBC’s first regular public television service. It was a broadcast centre for many years and its radio and television mast is still in use. Affectionately known as “Ally Pally”, the Grade II listed building opened in 1873 but had to be rebuilt following a fire two weeks after the opening.
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