Page 30 - Market Times April 2024
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FEATURE • BEDFORD
Daniel Filby manages Bedford market and Ka Ming is the market officer
Karl Smith is pictured in front of the family butchers van. The business, started by his father Brett, has been on Bedford market for 60 years
Bedford. The market is growing slowly, but it is growing.”
And Ka Ming, markets officer, said: “We are getting inquiries from traders most weeks. We have a good mix on the market including a growing number of street food stalls.”
The mix includes Greek, Asian and Chi- nese, and a new Spanish outfit is joining the street scene soon.
Daniel said that Saturdays were particu- larly busy, and the market was part of the buzz and vibe bringing people from quite far afield to the town centre on a weekend.
A relatively new monthly craft market and a popular, monthly flea market, as well as themed events, are adding to the town’s credentials as a destination.
Traders are generally positive and there are no complaints about the level of trade, particularly on a Saturday.
Andreas Zacharia, who has been selling ladies fashion on markets since 1993, is pleased with the relocation.
“I have been on this market for 12 years and it is good for me. I have a lot of good customers here,” he said.
Andreas’ stall is bang opposite Primark. “I know Primark is competition with good value fashion, but I will take that any day. Primark pulls in the shoppers and I benefit from that footfall,” he added.
Zhi Yong Ye, a native of China, cooks up a storm with his authentic Chinese street food.
“I do very good business here,” he said.
And Dan Falemara also does well on the market three days a week selling samosas.
“I have been in this job for a year, and I find it a friendly market,” he said.
On St Paul’s Square, the historic heart of the market, the fresh produce offer is impressive, with four fruit and veg traders all doing well, including an 88-year old trader.
Daniel estimates that on many Saturdays there is more than 300 feet of produce on show.
Joan Sheldon (left) has been selling eggs on the market for the past 20 years
There is also a butchers van and popular egg stalls. Karl Smith and his brother Brett run the meat business started by their father Brett.
“My father began trading on this market 60 years ago,” Karl said. Brett senior had worked in the shoe industry, and he started off selling shoes, then switched to poultry, and finally to full range of meat.
“I used to go out to fetch the eggs when I was five before I started school,” Karl said. His brother, Brett, helped their father with the business from the age of 16, and Karl returned to the business after 13 years working for Ford when Brett senior decided to retire.
“Our dad did really well when markets were at their busiest, but we still make a good living,” he said.
And Joan Sheldon, who has been selling eggs on the market for 20 years, also has a loyal following of customers.
Joan’s mother and grandfather ran the business going back to 1945. They started