Page 8 - MarketTimesJune2016
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  Gary Cook who sells delicious hot Caribbean food from Cookie’s Kitchen says he does well on Farnborough market and picks up catering jobs such as weddings at the same time
  John visited nearby markets to get ideas and poach traders.
He persuaded two good fruit and veg businesses to act as “bookend” stalls to entice people into the market.
Karen Puddle, who runs a fruit and veg stall with her husband, Mark, at the council’s sister market in Aldershot, set up stall on the launch day and it has proved a good move for their business.
“We have done really well,” said Karen, whose only complaint is that Queensmead is a wind tunnel in stormy weather.
John said: “The wind can be a problem and has shut the market twice.” So the council is investing in see-through barriers at either end of the market to create a wind break, and anchor points to stabilise the gazebos.
He has built up a busy hot food section at the centre of the market that has proved a magnet for hungry shoppers and office workers.
It includes the burger van from the old site, a popular noodles stall and Cookie’s kitchen, a Caribbean food business run by Gary Cook using recipes from the family of his partner of 28 years, Cheryl Ambrose.
“We have done really well on Farnborough market and picked up lots of business for
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private events. We would like to try another market like this,” said Gary, who also cooks for a homeless shelter at Camberley.
John says the market is a work in progress. It could accommodate up to 30 stalls and he is on the look out for a fishmonger who would make a killing at Farnborough, according to John.
Another initiative is the new Sunday market, although the town centre is quiet on Sundays and traders have suggested Friday as an alternative market day.
John has a good rapport with them and is planning to set up a forum so that everyone can get together and exchange ideas for improving the market.
“The council has always been clear that this isn’t about making more profit from the market. It is about improving the market so that it contributes to the vibrancy of the town centre.”
So John is not averse to the idea of a rent reduction for all if it encouraged new traders to set up stall. The more people paying reduced rent could actually mean more profits from the market.
With such an enlightened approach, the future is looking positive for Farnborough.
 FACTS & FIGURES
 l Market Days: Tuesdays and there is a small market and a large car boot every Sunday
l Market Rent: £35 a day for a 10 ft pitch for regulars and £45 for casuals. Gazebos cost an additional £2.50 to hire.
l Farnborough’s claim to fame: Farnborough in north east Hampshire is famous for its association with aviation and the Farnborough Air Show. The early aircraft pioneer Colonel Sam Cody and jet engine inventor Sir Frank Whittle both worked here. The town is home to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) and the Department for Transport’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
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