Exclusive. A number of retailers in Wilmslow are calling for the Artisan Market to be moved to a Sunday because it is having a negative impact on their business.
These retailers want the market to continue but say that holding it on their busiest day of the week is unfair and causing serious problems for them.
Peter Harrington, of Harrington & Hallworth Jewellers on Grove Street, is one of the retailers who doesn't want the market to continue on a Saturday.
He told wilmslow.co.uk "Our usual customers avoid shopping on that Saturday, it has a very different ambience, and most of the market customers are not shopping in the shops."
"If they moved it to the Sunday, as they do in Knutsford and Macclesfield, then it is up to the shopkeeper if they open on a Sunday and if they don't trade on a Sunday it doesn't affect their business. It seems the logical solution and if the Council could target December that would be great - please don't have a Saturday market in December as we lose a Saturday's Christmas trading."
Peter added "Nobody is against the idea of having the Artisan Market but the Council have let private people run it and now it is being run to the detriment of the town.
"The idea was to enhance the town and it seems that the market has become the thing and everything else is secondary to the market. It is massive now, it shouldn't be that big. There are double stalls down the whole of Grove Street so you can hardly get down it.
"Maybe they should be more selective, having one row of stalls instead of two would be a better idea and give people the chance to walk down the street."
Peter continued "I pay £100,000 a year to be on Grove Street, it is supposed to be a prime shopping area. My customers won't come to see me on the Saturday when the market is on."
John Maloney, owner of the Xpose boutique on Water Lane, has met with nearly 100 Wilmslow traders to discuss the Artisan Market, its impact on their business and whether they would prefer it to operate on a Sunday rather than a Saturday.
The 97 traders then wrote their own comments on a survey sheet - of these 3 wanted the market to remain on a Saturday, 6 didn't mind either way and the rest wanted it moved to a Sunday.
John Maloney explained "We are not against the market at all, no shops are against the market but it's unfair that it is on our busiest day of the week and we're all losing business when the market is on.
"The market is good for the town but it is common sense really to move it to a Sunday, in every other town it is on a Sunday. Shops are down anything from 30% to 50% on that Saturday which is not fair when you are paying big rates.
"We've been here for 14 years and have a very good regular clientele and they tell me they won't come in on market day as they cannot do their normal shop, it is too busy."
John added "Only two of the businesses we spoke to were against the market and want it stopped, most just want it moved to a Sunday. We are trying to save our livelihood and save the market as well.
"None of us want to lose the market but we can't understand why the Council won't listen to us retailers - it's a private company coming in making all the money, the Council isn't making a penny."
Toni Butterworth at Laura Ashley is also calling for the market to be moved. She said "It is a lovely market but sales do tend to be less than average. The last market we did less than 50% of our target and were 50% down on the figures for last year. We would hope it would be of benefit if the market was moved to a Sunday as it does tend to be quieter and hopefully it would bring extra trade on a Sunday."
Kerry Oliver, Manager at M& C, added "We're down on days the market is on, last time we were down 50% on the Saturday before and the Saturday after the market. It is rammed out there but it is not positive for us. We would like to see it moved to a Sunday.
"I have got nothing against the market but the figures speak for themselves, it's tough as it is and a Saturday is our busiest trading day by far - but this month we took more on the Tuesday than we did on the Saturday of the market. It will probably do well on a Sunday as it is a family day."
A group of traders met with Diane Smith, Town Centre Manager from Cheshire East Council, on Tuesday 20th August to discuss the problems the market is causing them.
Amongst them was Jackie Coldwell from Therapy Organics, which opened at Bank Square earlier this year.
Jackie explained "The Artisan Market is great but if it moved to a Sunday it would benefit both businesses and the local community. It would give us an extra day of trading and we wouldn't have treatments on a Sunday anyway, but at the moment we cannot have treatments on a Saturday when the market is on because of the noise from the singers on Bank Square. They are raising money for charity which is great but it is so loud that we no longer take bookings for those days."
Diane Smith told me "I am gathering all the views, evidence and issues raised then I am going to have a meeting with Keith Purdom (Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council) and Rod Menlove (Cheshire East Councillor for the Wilmslow East ward).
"Cheshire East Council did consent to the market and we have got to take a view on it, whether to keep it as it is or ask the organisers (Denise Valente and Vicky Jackson) to move it to a Sunday."
Diane added "Tuesday's meeting was attended by representatives from 8 or 9 shops. There was a sensible discussion about all the issues. I am on a fact finding mission and have to come to a view on the way forward. The public like the market and it is good for the profile of the town but takings for shops are significantly down on those days."
Denise Valente organiser of the Artisan Market said she just wants the best thing for Wilmslow.
Denise set up the Wilmslow Artisan Market with Vicky Jackson over two years ago - with the aims of increasing footfall for Wilmslow town centre, bringing diversity and ambience to the town centre whilst creating a fun community event.
The very first market was held on the July 23rd 2011, with 52 artisan traders participating. Since then the event has grown to be one of the largest in the North of England and picked up some prestigious awards along the way.
Denise explained that they originally chose a Saturday because at the time they canvassed retailers and only about 17% opened on a Sunday and they were hoping that retailers would benefit from the increased footfall.
Until a retailer wrote to the Wilmslow Business Group in July, Denise thought the majority of retailers were benefitting from having the market and it seemed to be working extremely well for the town.
The organisers then met with members from Wilmslow Town Council and a small group of retailers to discuss the issues.
Denise said "It was a very mixed group, some were calling for the market to be stopped, others wanted it relocated to Green Lane and others wanted it moved to a Sunday.
"A list of issues the market was creating on a Saturday were also discussed, some very valid and justifiable - which I felt I should have identified myself - such as the fact that at 4pm when the market was dismantled Grove Street was turned into a dismantling site when it was still prime trading time for the retailers.
"There was a whole list of things and recommendations. Some retailers said there was too much competition to their business.
"I took a list of action points which I felt were justifiable concerns that I could action quickly. Immediately we implemented 10am to 5pm trading so no dismantling took place until after 5pm, we removed a trader from outside Harrington & Hallworth jewellers and we removed a fishmonger. We also invited Environmental Health and Trading Standards to attend and reduced the number of stalls to create more movement for visitors so it was not so compact. These were all implemented straight away for the August market."
Denise Valente also carried out a small survey herself of 43 businesses on Grove Street, asking them if they were happy with the market as it was on a Saturday, would prefer it to be held on a Sunday or moved to Green Lane. 41 said they were happy with the market as it currently was, 5 said they had no preference between a Saturday or a Sunday and 2 wanted it moved to a Sunday and located on Green Lane.
However, these findings differ significantly from those collected by the retailers, some of whom have commented that they are inaccurate, Denise didn't speak to the right people or wasn't asking the right questions.
Speaking about the retailers findings, which she hasn't yet seen, Denise told wilmslow.co.uk "If that's the case then we need to do something about it as it is completely against what we set out to achieve."
Denise added "I wanted to make a difference to my town, both for retailers and the community. I felt a lot of businesses benefit from it being on a Saturday. If I am wrong I'll move it but we need to look at the whole picture.
"There are lots of businesses that take part in the event, like Heddys, the Artisan Meat Company and Peter Herd. They have gained a great deal out of the market but if it moved to a Sunday they would not be able to take part as they already work 6 days a week and need a break.
"Some of it will happen on a Sunday but not all of it, for those businesses it is working for it probably isn't going to work as well on a Sunday."
Denise continued "Moving the market to a Sunday is not going to make a difference to my income, presuming I can get the same footfall so the traders keep coming back. It is not about me, it has to be a decision that is best for retailers, the community and for Wilmslow.
"I'm in a Catch 22 situation because whatever I decide there will be a strong group of people who will not be happy. I just want whatever is the best outcome for Wilmslow so if the majority of Wilmslow traders find it is not working for them on a Saturday then I will move it to a Sunday and make it the best I can for Wilmslow. I want to find the best for the town. It's not up to me to make the decision."
What do you think about the market potentially moving to a Sunday? If you're a retailers, customer or market trader share your views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
It is better all round for Sunday to be the market day. Hopefully sense will prevail before we lose any more retailers to their ever increasing overheads!
Grove street before the market was dead and the market has revitalised it to a point new businesses have opened due to improved footfall
Having wilmslow as an outlet for our business has enabled us to open a retail outlet in which we now employ 2 people
The town is buzzing on a market saturday and the people that come to it clearly enjoy the incredible quality it provides
I believe this market is a reason why some retailers have survived as all footfall is good and retailers that are complaining should think back to how it used to be
This market must stay as it is
Many stall holders cannot work on a sunday and would be seriously detrimental to their income
In my opinion the retailers of Wilmslow should be grateful of this market and not oppose it
It is my firm belief that if this market moves from a saturday Grove Street will once again go back to being a ghost town
Retailers dont have short memories it wasnt that long ago you were begging for footfall !
It may be a surprise to these retailers but people don't actually go to the Artisan Market wanting to buy expensive jewelry or visit Laura Ashley.
However, when they visit the market, they will see these retailers are there and may well visit them when they are next looking to purchase these items.
Their regular customers who stay away on market day probably visit another time instead, so these sales are likely to be displaced not lost. Therefore just looking at the negative effect of sales on market day alone is massively misleading. The fact that these retailers don't remotely realise this illustrates why so many of them are going out of business.
Instead they need to look at their complete months sales vs LY or before the market beagn. Otherwise it misses the whole point of why the Market was needed in the first place ie to bring more people into the town, so they can see what stores are there and come back more often.
I know I am a prime example of this. Over the past couple of months I have come into Wilmlsow only on Market day. However, it reminded me what was there and how nice it was to walk to the shops instead of driving to Handforth Dean instead. So last Saturday (non market day) I strolled in, spent £20, had a coffee and enjoyed the whole leisurely experience. I also walked past one of the pubs and this prompted me to visit there later in the week as well. So, job well done for the Market.
So my advice is the Artisan Market is massively popular and you will never keep everyone happy, so leave it alone. If some retailers are too blinkered to see how it benefits them overall, then ignore them and focus on keeping the Artisan Market the success it has become.
Regarding switching days - I personally don't think it would have any overall effect in increasing sales for the permanent shops on a monthly basis and more likely the opposite. Moving it to a Sunday would probably just reduce the numbers of people shopping at both the market and in the longer term the shops too.
You clearly have no clue about "these market traders"
we are not some bunch of roaming scavengers that turn up once a month to rape and pillage your town !
We are very hard working people who pay insurance, tax, staff and of course market rent which on a pro rata basis is expensive.
Many of us have retail outlets in other areas as well and choose to use the artisan market to showcase our work and introduce it to people who may not otherwise see it
As for hygiene I can assure you that food traders are subject to very strict regulations and certificates have to be produced before trading ,,
If it was not for this market grove street would be dead , do you not remember what it was like before the market ??
A sample was taken on a saturday afternoon at 2pm and there was 19 people in the street !
This market brings trade and has saved your town
You have not lost retailers because of the market you have in fact gained more !
The service road, from sainsburys to multiyork has been used for Winter markets, and will be utilised for the motor show, so why not for a temp re-loc of the market?
Make a simple change and measure the difference, rather than a huge change and not know exactly what caused it? Just a thought. S
After 2 years it may be time for a review. No-one has said they wish the market to close.
If Sunday is considered as an alternative, then loal shops that trade on Sun should be consulted and sales monitored, along with Sat opening shops to see if sales return to pre-market levels.
Before permanently changing day, there should be a one-off trial. Some retailers do not wish the planned market for 21 Dec to occur, so how about conducting this pilot on Sun 22 Dec?
One advantage of a Sun market would be free off-street parking on current tariffs.
I would also note the some of the same objections to a Sat Artisan Market could also apply to the Wilmslow Motor Show being held on a Sat. Sorry Steve.
I presume the 43 "businesses" on Grove Street included the charity shops and the financial institutions that are already closed or close at midday and the coffee shops who undoubtedly benefit. Who is left?
New businesses have opened due to the increased footfall!!! The fish shop has now closed stating that market competition was a factor. Two beauty shops have replaced two retailers who couldn't make Grove street pay (one national one local) and others hang on trying to stay solvent (see Simon Dunn).
The market was supposed to be an "artisan market" not one selling cheap imported "jewellery" and trinkets, fast food (albeit quite upmarket and expensive) and various other goods that compete with nearby shops.The early days reflected this as do some of the stalls. Quite what the loud music has to do with a market is beyond me and I am glad I don't live at Bank Square with the smell of cooking food adding to the racket.
The congestion the market causes is compounded by the various outlets placing chairs and tables on the public footpath causing funnelling of pushchairs, dogs!!!, small children, infirm elderly people etc. Why are they allowed to use our space as an extension to their premises during market day?
Quite why the retailers and residents of Wilmslow should take the stall holders' concerns into account is also beyond me. Monthly attending is optional not like investing in a shop!This whole operation is a private enterprise which was supposed to be of benefit to the retailing centre of Wilmslow, not competition.
The move to Sunday must at least be trialled.
It brings life into a town that was dying before it
Look at the huge amount of people that attend each month
Those are the people who should be asked if they want the market
Those are the people that bring the money to the town !
Take this away and wilmslow will be a ghost town once more
With literally thousands of middle income shoppers with money to spend walking past their door, they only need look at their own incompetence for not turning this into a bumper sales day for themselves. Infact they should really consider if retail is the right job for them because after 2 years, market day should be a cornerstone of their business activity.
Instead, I find it incredulous that they just moan about it!
Any other high street or retail center would jump for joy if hoards of affluent locals came to their town to shop. The fact that they are too dim to see this probably illustrates why the High St is in such a sorry state.
Before the Artisan Market started, there were more Big Issue sellers than customers in Grove St, so the shop keepers should be carrying Denise Valente on their shoulders in gratitude for such a brilliant job of bringing key shoppers to your door.
So instead on moaning your woes that they don't then buy from you - ask yourselves why don't they? Then look at the golden opportunity that falls in your lap every month that you are totally ignoring. So use this to your advantage instead. You know - it's called retailing.
So fling open your doors, have a special offer for market day only, leaflet the crowds with an offer to visit your store or return at a later date, have some live music in your store, offer drinks or nibbles to customers or free samples or trials - anything to take part in the atmosphere that brings so many shoppers to town and to get them into your store.
Then put all your lower ticket, impulse lines in your window and near the front of your shop to get them to buy something they didn't know they needed. If you don't normally sell these items - then buy new stock in especially for the bonanza that just falls in your lap.
Then, not only will you have great market day sales, but you will also be building your base of regular customers who will return when the crowds are gone and who will ensure your business is a success for the rest of the month too.
Move the Artisan Market day? I bet Charles Harrod, Harry Selfridge, Michael Marks, Thomas Spencer and Anita Roddick will all be turning in their graves at the very thought.
I see Mr Aitchison that you have been able to open a retail outlet on the back of sales from the Artisan Market - where is that - in Wilmslow?
Your comment that some market traders can't work on a Sunday as it would be "seriously detrimental to their income" is laughable and shows a total lack of understanding for the issues which shop keepers/retailers in Wilmslow face. If the Artisan Market is to survive the market traders must show some respect to the shopkeepers who have been in Wilmslow for years and literally keep the streets paved, the rubbish cleared and the lights still on with the extortionate rates that they pay.
In terms of food and food hygiene - there are no hand washing facilities on stalls, there is one public toilet available, there are no food hygiene certificates displayed on stalls, there are no insurance certificates displayed, the food is mostly uncovered (cakes etc). Where are the inspectors......As I say this is not a level playing field!
Last month, I saw one stall selling meat on a stall - none of which was refrigerated and displaying no origin, no best before dates etc - what's artisan about that?
Where will the market be if all the retailers stop paying rates to the Council in protest?
What percentage of the stall fees - goes to the Council? If any money goes to the Council when will this be reflected in the rates that shopkeepers have to pay? Footfall is one thing but if that is only reflected in a £20 spend once a month that's hardly going to keep businesses trading.
As I say there is much more to Wilmslow than a once a month market - artisan or otherwise.
What is the problem with the compromise proposal of hosting it on a Sunday? The coffee shops and cafes are mostly all still open - who appear to be the main beneficiaries of the market?
Many consider me an expert on this subject, so trust me when I say the Artisan Market is not the problem and you would be mad to meddle with it.
The actual problem is that the people of Wilmslow who flock to this market are telling the shops there that they don't like what they do.
If these shops cannot make market day pay - with thousands of middle class, middle income shoppers in full spending mode passing outside their shop, then they have a seriously big problem. Moving the Market Day won't help because these shops are already doomed to failure.
I don't mean to be rude but this fact should be a massive wake-up call to those shops. They are making the classic mistake of failing businesses everywhere by clutching onto their existing customers at the expense of finding new ones. The problem is they don't have enough existing shoppers, which is why they are failing. This flawed logic just leads to the long and slow death of the business, which was exactly the state of Grove St before the market began.
The attitude of many shops on Market Day is woefully poor too. They treat it like any other trading day and their comments show they view the crowds as a hindrance. Their contempt for these shoppers just illustrates why they have a failing business.
Instead they should embrace the day as a wonderful opportunity to reach and develop a whole new customer base. If thousands of people at the Artisan Market avoid your shop - they are actually telling you that the majority of the people of Wilmslow don't like what you do.
So find out what they do want and the rest of your months trading will be a breeze. The Artisan Market Day gives you a brilliant opportunity to find this out, while still keeping hold of your regular customers. It is an opportunity that you snub at your peril.
Sunday, in my opinion, would make far more common sense to be the day on which the market should be held.
Congestion in the car parks would be eased. Shoppers can delight in the slow pace of ambling around the market stalls. Therefore, getting the most out of a Sunday market.
Saturday's trading by it's nature is a faster pace of trading.
Consider this,
Would the council in Manchester put a market down the busiest section of the Arndale Centre on a Saturday???
No, of course not..
Same principle here..not a debate! Just common sense......
Also, the Market traders come to Wilmslow once a month and only pay for the stall (I believe it's £45 for the entire day) Would it not then be fair for the business' whom have to pay huge rent and rates to be afforded the same luxury.
The market on a Sunday would encourage more shops to open in order to take advantage of the increased footfall.
I'm afraid Mark G is quite right in saying that if you're got an incredible footfall outside your shop and it makes no positive difference to your takings, those customers are telling you that they don't want what you sell. It's a very basic rule of commerce, egos have nothing to do with it. If people don't go and spend in Laura Ashley when the market is on, that's because they don't want Laura Ashley items. Conversely, if they don't come on Saturday because they think the market makes Wilmslow too busy (God... the irony...) but they want Laura Ashley items they will come another day.
So I am well aware what its like to pay rent rates insurance utilities staff costs etc etc...
I would love to have the footfall outside my gallery on any day of the week the Artisan provides it would be amazing !
I can promise you I would increase my takings !!
Would anyone like lessons in retailing ??
To hear that retailers cannot make it work is amazing to me
You need to embrace it and take advantage ....
Stop being so stuck up
Open your doors
Take some money and be grateful that people like me are prepared to work damm hard to bring something very special to your town !
I cant wait until the next market !
The market should be moved on a Sunday, I really dont understand everyone's opposition.
If you were a retailer in wilmslow paying the rates & rents that are charged, would you like a pie stall a meter away from your front door? After you've just paid 10k rates for the quarter then 20k quarter rent? Think about it?
Shop local - give good retailers of wilmslow some support! Otherwise you'll lose them!
But you will still have the market!
Yes keep the market, but why not try Sundays - even move it to the carpark behind Hoopers that is always desolate on that day.
Given the sheer volume of traffic around Wilmslow on a Sunday morning there are obviously plenty of people looking for somewhere to spend their cash!
The manager of chains have a great deal of freedom to show their initiative. Plus they have head office teams devoted to local marketing, so can get involved in the market day actvities. As for the markets "limited customer base" - these are the people of Wilmslow in their masses. What is limited about it? If the Market was daily, it would still pull in more traffic than without it. The point surely is that the current retailers there have a far too limited customer base and the wider audience of Wilsmlow prefers the market. The people of Wilmslow clearly show they will visit Grove St in their numbers - providing you give them something they like that is.
@Jason
Funny as it may seem but Grove St does not actually exist for the retailers there. Yes their rent & rates are far too high but that is a completely separate issue. Grove St only exists if people in Wilmslow visit and shop there.
Before the Market it was dead. Now the market has brought some life back to the center and is mobbed on market days. The shoppers are telling the retailers something but they don't seem to want to listen. The Market is the best (only?) bit of marketing that the town center does, so don't risk killing it and going back to the ghost town. Sometimes, you have to protect people from themselves.
@Sally
Actually, Manchester Council does run massive street markets throughout the year. By far their biggest is held in the whole of their shopping district for the six weeks before Christmas ie the busiest trading time of year. It is widely viewed as a great success by all and I don't believe they are talking about moving it to February for the retailers to avoid competition or because they are quiet then.
The point of this argument I think is who do we support most - the struggling retailers who deserve every help but who by association must have limited business skills (or why else is their business failing when others are succeeding). Or do we back the Artisan Market, whom the people of Wilmslow have voted as a great success.
I think Darwin says there is only one answer to that question.
Another reason why we may be busier than some of the other shops on market days is that we aren't competing with the products being sold on the market stalls... and the kids can come in and enjoy all the unique sports gear we have!
The economy is tough right now. People are not spending as they used to, but we need to make sure the Artisan Market remains as popular as it is in order to keep our town busy, offering something different to the rest.
Trying to spread it along Alderley Road might be a solution to see if Grove Street becomes less congested, but it's important to see the big picture and how the market draws such a large crowd, bringing people from all over to our town!
What is also being said by the local businesses is that rates and rents are too high - this is correct but will not be solved by moving the Artisan Market to Sunday...
She sells non-food items but still does well on market days. But you do have to make an effort and become part of the wider festivities, rather than snub it and carry on as "normal". Everyone can spot a party pooper a mile off and shoppers are no different.
So if some retailers can't turn a golden egg into a golden omelette then you don't ask them what to do with the golden goose, do you.
As a trader I also enjoy the patronage of some very successful people
People who don't just want to buy watches at thousands of pounds
But just as important we also enjoy serving the people of wilmslow that dont have unlimited income and thats the whole point ....
The market provides something for everyone not just the select few
I dont believe for one moment that someone buying a very expensive piece from you does so on a whim I think its a considered purchase and something they would come back to you for
The market is not a novelty it is a very well organise event run by people with amazing talent and dedication to their product, your comments are frankly insulting
The market provides you with huge footfall past your shop window or do you not consider those people good enough for your shop ?
Secondly, as to the people of Wilmslow shopping at the market what there needs to be is a footfall survey of the people who attend, where they are from and how they got there. The fact that the car parks are full on market day suggests that those attracted to the market are not, for the most part, local, because most homes within Wilmsow are within walking distance of the town. Now it is good if customers are being brought into the town, but, surely it would be better if these additional customers were encouraged in on a Sunday instead?
Also, Wilmslow needs to remember that there are 2 shopping areas within central Wilmslow not one. There is the main town, but there are also the shops on Chapel Lane. None of the latter are high end shops and, no doubt, their rents reflect this, but traffic flows through and the shops make a living. The bakers has queues from tradesmen at lunchtime and Chapel Interiors is used by tradesmen too because their paint is priced competitively. Chapel lane operates as a "working village" whilst Grove Street is yet another non descript pedestrianised area. Now, I appreciate that the Artisan Market is an attempt to address this, but what is being sold in the market is not stape items but "gifts" for the main part.
owners, even
They are open on a sunday
So does the market not affect your trade on a sunday ??
Or is trade rubbish on a sunday and you want the market to increase footfall for you on that day ?? Hmmmmm ......
Are they really saying that trade on non-market Saturdays is spectacularly buoyant? Because if it is, that's just bizarre. I've been around Wilmslow every Saturday for years (I drive to it, and yes I can park, both on market and non-market days) and there's frankly hardly anyone around between 9 am and midday. They must all flock to the place when I leave.
The readers who are alleging that market traders don't pay rent or have to abide by food hygiene regulations are kidding themselves (to put it politely). In doing so they parade not only their ignorance but also their prejudices. Could it be that some of the out of town customers are not sufficiently posh for the likes of some Wilmslovians? That is certianly how it reads. Nobody is going to come to a market in a tiny town on a Sunday when nothing else is open. If you don't like it why not take your own custom somewhere else; I'm sure there is a high street somewhere that would welcome you if shopping at a market stall isn't good enouigh for you.
All we can go on is that our sales have been up 50 to 60% on Artisan Day and we've experienced 4 so far. We've also had many out of towners, some overseas, finding and came back mid week or a regular Saturday thanks to market day. Also, because we're new, the market has given us a platform to shine to a large, diverse crowd so we are very grateful to the market for this. Bank sq is a tough end of town so any large crowd gathering is an oppourtunity for us- footfall being the key word. The buzz it creates in town and on social media is also fun. We have enjoyed and embrace the market thus far.
Also, we've found that many of the locals that came in during market day and didn't even realize the market was even on but found it as a nice surprise; I think sometimes we (retailers) think too much about these things.
We trialed opening on Sundays(11am-3pm) over the summer but compared to a non-saturday it was mainly dissapointing as not many shops are open and even if they were I'm not convinced enough people would come out as it's family/relaxing day here, a nice day for walks, to take a break from the town etc so I dont believe the Market would be busy, knutsfor is a very different demographic and has its own shop culture (boutiques/indy/arsty... just an observation/opinion.
To end, enough retailers want to move so it's only fair to listen and try and adapt and help retailers. I'd prefer to keep it on a Saturday for obvious reasons but perhaps have different clusters of stalls over town so It's fair.
On a seperate note, we've only been open for 13 weeks and already building a loyal customer base so many of people of Wilmslow and beyond have been very supportive so far and a lot do shop local. We hope it continues this way- and gets even better. This is their town and I think people are more aware of this these days and care about its health and are making an extra effort to shop locally.
Good luck!
Tate/The Goal Post (forever the optimist)
@dave cash
The MotorShow is quite, quite different to the market. Its voluntary, not commercial, and i designed it purely to bring footfall in on a saturday. If its not wanted, i wont do it, period, and no sleep would be lost. i wouldnt even consider moving it.
And the market, sigh, ok.. After the 1st 3 months, my trade went down to almost zero on a Saturday morning. So i decided to close on a Saturday.
I closed, and went to chat to stall holders, gave them my business card and samples of design and print work id done. I took my business to them. I now do regular design and print for many of them, have struck a strategic relationship with one, including sponsorship, and get referals from them as well, monthly. They promote me. I should point out, im on Water Lane, in an Emerson building, there by choice (for nearly 14 years) because i want to be, even though it is expensive.
I'm less likely to do this on a sunday, saturday still feels like a work day. Just my comments.
Wilmslow dont ruin the town for the sake of a few people that won't embrace something wonderful
Look at the towns around you and see how they are struggling
Thats how Wilmslow will be if this market is changed
The Artisan has created an amazing vibe on market day and that took time
It will never be the same if its moved now
You clearly show how the market can be of benefit to all - even if it doesn't lead to direct sales on the day.
To me it seems a lack of initiative by the complaining retailers is the root problem, not the market or the MotorShow.
For example, I go to the market regularly and am given leaflets from charities, students on Rag Week and stall holders, all telling me who they are and what they do. I'm now tempted to make a special trip to Stockport just to visit the shop of one of the pie stalls - all because they talked to me, gave me a simple leaflet and I enjoyed their produce when I got home. I never go to Stockport but will one day soon - just to see that shop. And just because I have their leaflet, know their name and where they are.
But do any of the Wilmslow retailers stand outside their shop and do this? Very few I think.
So here's a radical thought. If the mountain won\'t come to Mohammed because their shop isn't in Grove St, then why don't the shops hire a stall too? They can use it to sell their impulse lines and to promote their store. So they can get talking to people, tell them their story, sell them something, point them in the direction of their shop for a wider selection and give these potential new customers a discount voucher to use if they go and buy something there.
If the shop owner doesn't recoup the extra cost plus loads more then I will be amazed. Steve - how about offering to print something for the retailers of Wilmslow to help them seize this golden opportunity?
What this discussion shows me is that some Wilmslow shops need help in marketing themselves. This inability, coupled with the unreasonable rent and rates they pay seems to have all been transferred onto the Market, which I think they wrongly blame for their woes. Is there a Wilmslow retailers guild or collective group that could help address this?
I'm not angling for the work, I already have a job and just want to help Wilmslow thrive as a town. I also want to stop the retailers there from shooting themselves in the foot with a big bazooka by moving the market day and downgrading the atmosphere for the thousands of Wilmslow people who come to enjoy it.
PS Good luck with the show tomorrow. I hope the rain keeps off and am looking forward to visiting as I missed last years event.
Whoops - just ducked as the flying pig went past!!!
Though I also happen to volunteer at the Transition stall once in a while, if it were on a Sunday I would shop there less, not more, because I wouldn't be able to "kill several birds with one stone" with most businesses being closed. But the market is most enjoyable, keeps the children entertained while we take turns to dip in and out of the shops, and we get to sample some fabulous produce and chat to our friends. Turning "shopping" into a pleasurable experience.
I'm afraid some shops are just "forbidding" by their very frontage and lack of engagement, and so I wouldn't be tempted to walk in.
The analysis proposed by Mark, Peter, Steph, and Tate & Lindsay (among others) is the one that makes most sense to me.
Diane, Denise and Vicky, you're doing a fabulous job for Wilmslow! Thank you!
I have just spent a very entertaining 2 hours at the Wilmslow motor show. Five stars Steve - fantastic. I understand that the only objection to closing a road for the event was from the Police. If this year was even more successful than last then the show will go from strength to strength and maybe next year Alderley Road (preferably) or Water Lane could be closed, our local super car owners (thanks to those who did exhibit, Duncan and Tony especially), footballers etc. could give the rest of us a chance to dream. Early response from business is very positive. What an event to put Wilmslow on the map and not a pie in sight.
Whilst we welcome debate and members posting their views, in their real name, unfortunately we have become inundated with people setting up multiple accounts under false names calling for the market to be moved to a Sunday.
Multiple accounts have been set up from the same IP address under different names all calling for the market to be moved, other accounts have been set up with comments that just don't add up and in the last 10 minutes alone we have had one person set up 3 accounts in different names all posting comments calling for the market to move to a Sunday because it is having a negative impact on local businesses.
Unfortunately we have had to stop accepting comments because these 'false' comments are not only wasting my time but would also present a distorted view of whether our readers would like to see the Artisan Market moved to a Sunday or remain on a Saturday.