t’s the early hours of the morning and New Spitalfields Market is buzzing with activity. To an outsider it may look like chaos, but there is method to the madness and for the hundred plus traders working at the market, every day is a well-rehearsed balancing act. Making the right business decisions is vital at a time when everyone is watching their pennies, and decisions such as whether or not to invest in new equipment have to be weighed up carefully.
When the subject of the Olympics comes up in conversation there is a palpable trepidation among the traders, despite the fact that a lot of effort has gone into ensuring that the market can operate as close to normal as possible during the games. Janet Hutchinson, chief executive of the Spitalfields Market Tenants’ Association, has been working closely with TFL and LOCOG to plan ahead for what many describe as “a logistical nightmare” but hopefully will run fairly smoothly. Some 400 traffic passes will be issued per day and sent out to growers around and outside the country in order for deliveries to make it to the market as usual. However Hutchinson admits that the games are “an unknown quantity” and that it is difficult to predict exactly how much the event will impact on individual businesses.
“We can only advise businesses and help them plan ahead for the huge impact these road restrictions will have on our distribution of fresh produce to London and the South East,” she says. The hope is of course that, rather than cause mayhem, the Olympics will help put east London and New Spitalfields Market firmly on the map, driving business during as well as after the games. If everything goes to plan, the market will soon be the subject of a BBC2 documentary which should help in this respect. Hutchinson has been liaising with the film crew for months trying to accommodate their requests, which included getting foreign embassies involved with the market.
Hutchinson, who “married into the market”, runs New Spitalfields Market alongside her husband Chris, who is the chairman of the tenants’ association. In the 30 years she has worked with the market she has seen it evolve into the melting pot it is today. “It has diversified ethnically and that is a reflection of London,” she says. “It’s also the reason that we have survived.”
The ability to respond to new trends is undeniably one of the factors behind the market’s longevity. Nowadays there is greater focus on sustainability and provenance to satisfy eco-conscious consumers. Another way Spitalfields has changed is that it is now more geared towards the convenience sector.
“We seem to have adopted the American way of eating out a lot more and the market has adapted to reflect that,” says Hutchinson and mentions the Queen’s Jubilee as an example. “People will be both eating out and entertaining more, and you go to your local market to get your produce, so it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Her husband Chris shares her vision. “There is no other market like New Spitalfields anywhere in the country,” he says. “But what I would really like to see is a composite market: fruit, veg, fish, meat and dairy, all under one roof. Paris has got it, so why shouldn’t we? It would reduce the carbon footprint for the catering industry - what an amazing sell that would be.” -
It’s the early hours of the morning and New Spitalfields Market is buzzing with activity. To an outsider it may look like chaos, but there is method to the madness and for the hundred plus traders working at the market, every day is a well-rehearsed balancing act. Making the right business decisions is vital at a time when everyone is watching their pennies, and decisions such as whether or not to invest in new equipment have to be weighed up carefully.
When the subject of the Olympics comes up in conversation there is a palpable trepidation among the traders, despite the fact that a lot of effort has gone into ensuring that the market can operate as close to normal as possible during the games. Janet Hutchinson, chief executive of the Spitalfields Market Tenants’ Association, has been working closely with TFL and LOCOG to plan ahead for what many describe as “a logistical nightmare” but hopefully will run fairly smoothly. Some 400 traffic passes will be issued per day and sent out to growers around and outside the country in order for deliveries to make it to the market as usual. However Hutchinson admits that the games are “an unknown quantity” and that it is difficult to predict exactly how much the event will impact on individual businesses.
“We can only advise businesses and help them plan ahead for the huge impact these road restrictions will have on our distribution of fresh produce to London and the South East,” she says. The hope is of course that, rather than cause mayhem, the Olympics will help put east London and New Spitalfields Market firmly on the map, driving business during as well as after the games. If everything goes to plan, the market will soon be the subject of a BBC2 documentary which should help in this respect. Hutchinson has been liaising with the film crew for months trying to accommodate their requests, which included getting foreign embassies involved with the market.
Hutchinson, who “married into the market”, runs New Spitalfields Market alongside her husband Chris, who is the chairman of the tenants’ association. In the 30 years she has worked with the market she has seen it evolve into the melting pot it is today. “It has diversified ethnically and that is a reflection of London,” she says. “It’s also the reason that we have survived.”
The ability to respond to new trends is undeniably one of the factors behind the market’s longevity. Nowadays there is greater focus on sustainability and provenance to satisfy eco-conscious consumers. Another way Spitalfields has changed is that it is now more geared towards the convenience sector.
“We seem to have adopted the American way of eating out a lot more and the market has adapted to reflect that,” says Hutchinson and mentions the Queen’s Jubilee as an example. “People will be both eating out and entertaining more, and you go to your local market to get your produce, so it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Her husband Chris shares her vision. “There is no other market like New Spitalfields anywhere in the country,” he says. “But what I would really like to see is a composite market: fruit, veg, fish, meat and dairy, all under one roof. Paris has got it, so why shouldn’t we? It would reduce the carbon footprint for the catering industry - what an amazing sell that would be.” -
MARK ADAMS - VITACRESS
Part of Western International, the company sells mainly fruit and salad from Spain, Holland, Morocco and Argentina among other countries.
How is business at the moment?
“Business is not great compared to three or four years ago but I like to think that people realise that independent greengrocers are able to provide a better service. We’re looking to redevelop the stand and put a few new fridges in.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“I’m dreading the Olympics - access and security are the main concerns. Road closures will have a serious impact; I think there will be later deliveries and we will probably end up working 24 hours a day.”
MUKESH KAPOOR - ROSHAN UK
Importers of exotic fruit and vegetables from countries such as Sri Lanka, India and Ghana.
How is business at the moment?
“We sell our produce mainly to restaurants and the catering industry but at the moment things are quite slow due to the bad weather.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“I welcome the Olympics. I don’t think it will affect business too much; if anything it will bring more customers to the market, which would be good.”
HARDY KARABABA - HARDY & SONS
Hardy & Sons imports fruit and vegetables mainly from Turkey and other European countries.
How is business at the moment?
“The financial climate affects everyone but thankfully we have been okay so far. We are a small company so we don’t want to take on too much redevelopment at the moment; we’re sticking to a winning formula.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“I don’t think the Olympics will affect business too much. It might result in a bit more money but only short term. It’s a good opportunity but bound to be stressful so I’m going away on holiday!”
TOLGA DIKMEN
As part of Stubbins, the company sells vegetables, salad and fruit, including exotics.
How is business at the moment?
“Thankfully our sector is not as badly affected by the recession as some others - people always have to eat, don’t they? At the moment things have slowed down because of the weather conditions but hopefully once the sun comes out we will be selling more soft fruit and melons.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“The Olympics are going to cause quite an upheaval. There is only one road in and out of the market so it’s going to be a nightmare.”
IMRAN PATEL - AMER SUPERFRESH
Amer Superfresh sells exotics and salads as well as UK produce such as fresh herbs.
How is business at the moment?
“In the last five years we’ve been growing thanks to investments which have given us more space and better facilities. Our company was established 30 years ago so we know the importance of evolving with the times.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“There is always something causing a headache; last year it was the ash cloud, this year it’s the Olympics. We’ll deal with it though.”
RAY BRISTOW - RJB & SONS
RJB & Sons supplies independent retailers as well as landscapers with UK and imported plants and cut flowers.
How is business at the moment?
“The weather affects us more than anything. When it was sunny in March it really took off but now it has affected us quite a lot.”
How do you think the Olympics will affect the market?
“Most of our English growers like to come here in the early evening and the Dutch between 10pm and 2am. We might well lose our UK suppliers during the Olympics due to the traffic restrictions.”
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