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MarketTimesOctober2013

26 He ran Llangefni market successfully some years ago when it was at a former site, which was bought by ASDA, but was taking a back seat helping out his son, Geraint, who runs a successful fruit and vegetable business. Emyr said: “Geraint’s business on Llangefni always does well, but the market was in a bad way.” Never one to shy away from a challenge, Emyr took the bull by the horns and challenged the traders to “make it a cracking market once again.” With a mobile phone full of contacts, he began spreading the word among market traders that Llangefni market was on the up. He put up a big sign on the A55 and in the town itself advertising the market, and soon traders were asking about getting onto the market. “I know so many traders and when I told them we were getting the market back to its best, they wanted to get involved.” Emyr also tackled a negative mindset among one or two existing traders. “A number were packing up at 1.30 pm and you can’t run a successful market if traders are packing up early. Also, the quality has to be right.” He told traders his rules, including staying on the market until 4 pm, and he set out the benefits if all traders stuck together — and it worked. Within 10 weeks everyone could see the difference. The market was filling rapidly and tourists and locals were voting with their feet and shopping at their local market once more. The stalwart traders who stuck with Llangefni market through thick and thin are delighted with the transformation. Peter Bradley, who has been selling textiles on the market for 16 years, said: “They were good days when I started here, but I have also seen very bad market days in recent years.” He said Emyr’s involvement was just what was needed at a crucial time and he is looking forward to better trading days as the market becomes re-established. Clive Machin, who has been selling household goods for 20 years, said the market had suffered a gradual decline but now there was real hope that the good times were returning. And Farzan Ali and his son, also Farzan Ali, are also delighted with the upturn. “We do all right because we have been trading here for 40 years and we have regulars,” said Farzan senior. “But it is good to see the market getting back on its feet.” New recruits are joining the market, including Graham Hughes, a local who sells Emyr Owen is pictured with his son, Geraint, and grandson, Morgan, 12. The family has been involved in markets since the 1800s and Emyr has taken on the task of turning around the fortunes of Llangefni market Llangefni town clerk Arnold Milburn helped to set up the Llangefni social enterprise company, which has taken over the running of the market from the county council A stalwart of Llangefni, Peter Bradley, who also sells textiles at Stockport Market, has endured the bad times at Llangefni market and is now looking forward to better days Graham Hughes sells pork and pork products from the pigs he raises on a local smallholding


MarketTimesOctober2013
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