Page 37 - MarketTimesAugust2016
P. 37

  Phil Pitman, who has sold outdoor clothing on markets for the past 40 years, says that traffic is the main problem affecting market trade
  Ricky Fairclough, who has run The Watch Stall at Ringwood for 27 years, does well on the market, but like everyone, he would like to see more traders and shoppers
 charter when they acquired a large estate at Ringwood, and they retained it when the estate had to be sold to pay death duties when Edward’s grandfather died young.
He has known the market since he was a child. It used to be a huge event in the town in the days when a cattle market was also held every Wednesday, Edward recalls.
One elderly resident can remember when the market was closed at each end by gates and horses were run through it.
But the cattle market closed in 1989 and an upmarket shopping centre called The Furlong was built on the site.
With a Waitrose and high-end fashion shops, The Furlong reflects the demographic
of the area, which has been named the second most expensive market town for house prices in the past.
But as a result the retail heart of the town has shifted and the far end of the market is now out on a limb.
Despite this, market trade has held up reasonably well until this year, according to Edward.
“Unfortunately we lost a very large household goods stall at the far end of the market, which had been a great attraction” he said.
Sadly, the trader found he could no longer compete with the pound shops and he is now working as a bus driver, Edward says.
Martin Pearce, who sells socks, hats, towels and bedding, is sticking with Ringwood market in the hope that trade will pick up
From a full market of 30 stalls last year, the market is now down to 20 and the traders are feeling the difference.
Many have been standing Ringwood for 20 or 30 years and they know it has the potential to be a great market again.
Phil Pitman has sold outdoor clothing at markets across the south for 40 years and at one time had five lorries on the road.
“It’s definitely the traffic that is the main problem,” Phil said. “The council don’t own the charter so they’re not bothered and nothing will be done about it.”
Phil says he will stay loyal to Ringwood, but mainly because he lives locally and it makes up the numbers for his market operation.
37
t















































































   35   36   37   38   39