News / Bristol
Changes to markets ‘threaten livelihoods’
Since 2015, traders have lined Wine Street every Wednesday. However, a recent change has meant that the street food market will now take place on Tuesdays, and many traders are certainly not pleased.
One former stall owner of the Wine Street market, who agreed to speak anonymously to Bristol24/7, said: “I have now lost 30 per cen of my income in a matter of weeks.
“The final Wednesday market saw record takings, but the first Tuesday market was the worst day I have had in two years. My takings were reduced by 60 per cent that day, leaving me with no profit.
is needed now More than ever
“Improvements to the Farmers’ Market could easily have been made without disruption to the street food market on Wine Street.”
With customer spending habits changing throughout the week, and less footfall on a Tuesday, some stall holders say they will be unable to deal with the “imminent drop in profits that will occur”.
Traders claim that they were not consulted about the change of day.
“They have all worked hard to build a trade on that day, so it seems unfair – especially as they were originally given the places to compliment the produce market,” says market supporter Mat North from Full Court Press on Broad Street.
“It seems like the effect has been to undo the past two years of work. From what I’ve heard, morale and sales are very low.”
Over the past two weeks the number of Wine Street stalls dropped from more than a dozen to just four.
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “St Nick’s Market is synonymous with good food, and the Farmers’ Market is one of the longest running in the country.
“Unfortunately over recent years it has experienced a decline in popularity and for some time now we have been looking at how we can restore it to its former glory.”
The city council appointed Lorna Knapman from the Love Food Festival “to help invigorate the Farmers’ Market, and thought it only fair to separate the markets to avoid competing for attention”.
The spokesperson added: “We have offered all Street Food traders the first two weeks trading for free to allow for people to become aware of the changes, and we are also committed to promoting these changes and informing customers.”
Read more: In photos – St Nick’s Market
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