Love your local Market

You can’t beat the hustle and bustle of a traditional English market. Whether it’s a large market selling everything from tomatoes to kids’ toys, or a lively farmers’ market showcasing the very best local produce, these unique shopping experiences are at the heart of our local communities.

In this edition we take a look at Hitchin’s historic market and have a chat to the market manager, Ron Piper, as well as some of the traders.

Ron told us that Hitchin’s traditional market has a long history and pre-dates ‘Domesday’, going back as far as Roman / Anglo Saxon times. The market sells a wide range of goods, ranging from antiques, art, and clothes, to seasonal fruit and veg, as well as plants and flowers at an affordable price.

Ron said: “We get a steady flow of customers; however markets in general are suffering. We’ve got about 80 to 90 stalls at the moment, more than many markets. We do our best to protect the stalls we have, so we don’t have too many fabric stalls, or too many jewellery stalls, and we are always on the lookout for something niche that we haven’t already got.”

As to what keeps people coming back he continued: “It’s the personal service, independence, fresh produce, and knowledge – some of the traders have been there for thirty or forty years and inherited stalls from their parents, so it’s a tradition.”

It is early days, but it’s going well so far!”

Ron also explained that Hitchin Market is offering a start up package to tempt new traders – 8 weeks for the price of 4. One trader who has taken up this offer is Leman Harrisson of Lems Cakes and Bakes. She has recently set up her own business, specialising in Mediterranean cakes and savoury bakes, using fresh ingredients.

Desna furniture is the place to go if you’re looking for that shabby-chic look. We met Naomi and Desmond Lockwood, who have a stall on the market on a Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the car boot sale. Naomi said “We’ve got quite a few regulars. Please come down to the market. We sell everything and anything – we source products from auctions and other market traders, we always buy solid pieces.”

We also spoke to Terry Golburn, from Terry’s Afro-Caribbean. On their stall you’ll find international foods from Jamaica, Uganda and the rest of the Caribbean. “We’ve been on the market 15 years. We get to know a lot of people and we have built a relationship with our customers. When you come to the market, the service you get is one to one; it’s different to what you get in a supermarket. The market is a lot cheaper than the supermarket too, and it’s fresher. People should come down more often!”

If you are interested in having a stall on the market, visit the Hitchin Market Office along Churchgate, give them a call on 01462 456202, or email them at: info@hitchinmarkets.co.uk

Market Days

Tuesdays and Saturdays – General Market – you’ll find a wide range of products from haberdashery, to clothing and fresh food

Friday – General Market + Antiques, Collectables selection – antique furniture, vintage jewellery, collectable toys and general market products

Sunday – Car Boot alongside some regular traders.

Events at Hitchin Market

1st Saturday of the Month – Vintage Section

3rd Saturday of the Month – Vegan Market. New for this year! There will be over 40 stalls selling a huge variety of vegan products from local businesses. Find a whole host of mouth-watering food stalls, eyeopening lifestyle brands, luxury cosmetics, ethical clothing, interesting charities and much more.

Last Saturday of the Month – Craft & Farmers Market - Locally produced meat, poultry and handmade crafts from traders who live or produce their items within a 30-mile radius of Hitchin.

Other markets in North Herts

Hitchin isn’t the only town in the district to have a thriving market. Other markets in the district include:

Baldock Charter Market – every Wednesday 8am – 1.30pm Baldock High Street

Letchworth Farmers Market – third Saturday of each month Letchworth Arts and Crafts Market – first Saturday of each month

Royston Town Market – every Wednesday and Saturday, 8am - 3.30pm.