Greenwich Market Consultation
OK, Folks - tomorrow's C-Day. You get to see, for a couple of days only, what Greenwich Hospital Foundation want to do with the Market, and actually "consult" (though remember the word means nothing at all in itself...)
Now I'm only going on the leaflet they've posted through the door, but actually, not all of it looks a total disaster. Some things actually look quite intriguing - like the new pedestrian entrances, for example. But there are a few things I'd be curious to know, and since, for reasons too annoying to mention, I won't be able to get to the consultation, I'd be darn grateful if any of you find out any answers to any of these. In fact I want to know what you think full stop. Tell me what the exhibition's like and whether it looks like a good way ahead for Greenwich. Then tell them, of course!!
Things I'd like to know,if you happen to hear anything, are:
1) How big will the "small" shop units be? Small enough to keep them quirky - or big enough to encourage nasty chains to bully their way in?
2) Are they going to do anything financially to ensure that they keep the small independents in the market? It's in their long-term interests to do so. The independents are one of the big reasons why British visitors come to Greenwich - if it was all Tie Rack and Accessorise, they could go anywhere - and probably won't come to us. We will stop being a shopping as well as a tourist destination.
3) What's going to happen to those small indies while building work goes on? Are they out on their ear? We could lose them if that happens. They need to be nurtured.
4) Are those kiosks permanent? I hope not - with a nice space like that something interesting could be done in the way of entertainment during the evenings...
5) That "boutique" hotel. Are we sure it's going to be small and interesting - or could we be looking at our very own Formula One in years to come?
Happy querying folks. And don't forget - don't just tell me (though naturally, DO tell me of course!) tell THEM what you think - even if you disagree with me...
Now I'm only going on the leaflet they've posted through the door, but actually, not all of it looks a total disaster. Some things actually look quite intriguing - like the new pedestrian entrances, for example. But there are a few things I'd be curious to know, and since, for reasons too annoying to mention, I won't be able to get to the consultation, I'd be darn grateful if any of you find out any answers to any of these. In fact I want to know what you think full stop. Tell me what the exhibition's like and whether it looks like a good way ahead for Greenwich. Then tell them, of course!!
Things I'd like to know,if you happen to hear anything, are:
1) How big will the "small" shop units be? Small enough to keep them quirky - or big enough to encourage nasty chains to bully their way in?
2) Are they going to do anything financially to ensure that they keep the small independents in the market? It's in their long-term interests to do so. The independents are one of the big reasons why British visitors come to Greenwich - if it was all Tie Rack and Accessorise, they could go anywhere - and probably won't come to us. We will stop being a shopping as well as a tourist destination.
3) What's going to happen to those small indies while building work goes on? Are they out on their ear? We could lose them if that happens. They need to be nurtured.
4) Are those kiosks permanent? I hope not - with a nice space like that something interesting could be done in the way of entertainment during the evenings...
5) That "boutique" hotel. Are we sure it's going to be small and interesting - or could we be looking at our very own Formula One in years to come?
Happy querying folks. And don't forget - don't just tell me (though naturally, DO tell me of course!) tell THEM what you think - even if you disagree with me...
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
18:37
7 Comments:
Been there, not impressed. They don't seem to have much idea of what they actually want in their market, and the consultation form doesn't actually leave much room for, er, consultation.
More: http://tinyurl.com/224epz
I think it looks horrendous. They are replacing the '50s buildings with 1980s-style buildings, spookily reminiscent of some of the windswept red-brick squares around Mud Chute. Other comparisons I heard were of Bromley Shopping Centre; or you could compare the red-brick facades, with their little bland metal bay windows, to a suburban Tesco's.
The glass ceiling is nothing like that of the Maritime Museum, say, or of The British Museum, both of which are cleanly-engineered and don't detract from the period buildings. This one's fussily done, with little engineering knick-knacks attaching them to the buildings. It makes the modernised Spitalfields market look like Versailles. The overall layout seems to make sense, but the actual look is devoid of any resonance or texture, with no relation to Greenwich. It looks destined to be full of mobile phone retailers.
No one seems to know whether the stalls will be permanent. There also seems to be no coherent policy for making sure small stallholders remain.
I went and I wasn't too horrifed by the actual plans, but more confused by the lack of knowledge that the 'professionals' had! They couldn't even tell me what the roof would be like! It seems that they a) are not anywhere near finalising the design and b) not entirely convinced that it will get planning permission from the council!
I was told that the stalls wouldn't be permanent.
One interesting thing that came out, was what will happen to the market while this is all being built. Apparently the stall holders are not impressed with the idea of setting up in Cutty Sark Gardens, and have said they want to be in the covered market for Christmas (at either end of the year). But this could result in the building being done in stages, and therefore taking A LOT longer. Meaning residents would have to put up with the building work going on for much longer than is actually needed...
hmmm... I'm not convinced about anything other than the fact that the area does need regenerating!
But so does the Stockwell St Market area.
And there are many areas that need better use - eg Cutty Sark Gardens. The Stockwell St Market area. Even the market itself in the evenings and days when the market isn't on.
Talking to the stallholders they say they will not be able to afford the new rents and will be pushed out - making way for the Tie Racks and Starbucks etc. Already the small shops are on 6 month leases - so they say - to allow for pushing out to let the big boys in.
When I asked about the traffic they had no idea how tha tcould or should be maanged.....
Most of the shopkeepers do not have a lease valid beyond early 2009 and have zero chance of acquiring a post-development lease. There are a number of empty shops likely to remain empty since the leases are only until early 2009 and twice the price as previous. Those that have a longer lease will have to be compensated their units are demolished.. I reckon the outcome will look similar to that courtyard thing just off Carnaby Street. Style brands all the way. I can also see subsequent plans being submitted for the usual phantom `consultancy` - they tell you belatedly what they are doing and you will just have to lump it.Reckon they will go up to four floors with retail on the lower two levels.
Oi! Enough of the "phantom" consultancy, already! I have nothing to do with it. Honest!!
I thought the plans were great and seemed like a reasonable attempt to answer the needs of the markets traders of the future and accommodate greater capacity for tourists and local shoppers alike. I am not so sure that the present traders will be able to count on having a place in the new market without paying a little bit more, which invariably means us customers picking up the tab evemtually. Today I took some American visitors to see the renewed Spitalfields market which is nearing completion some 8 years after beginning the redevelopment. Remarably the tourtists were more impressed about the surrounding undeveloped market in around Brick lane and the old Truman brewery than the new market. That said there wasnt room to swing a cat any where and the traders tills were ringing happily from all the new customers. Not a single trader was in evidence frim the old market but the new punters wouldnt know that. Being a bit nostalgic I was sad but accept this is the price of progress and the area has remained a magnet for shoppers and the market is fit for purpose for the next 50 years.Now the upheaval that this ahs caused in Spitalfields is nothing to that which will be caused at the present Greenwich market site so residents and commuters alike should brace themselves for considerable traffic disruption for many years to come...or move !
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