Kokova Magazine

One of London's most historic street markets will be officially re-launched with a new operator on Thursday, 6th October 2011.

Lower Marsh, which sits just south of Waterloo Station, has been home to a street market since the mid-19th century.

At its peak the market stretched from Blackfriars to Vauxhall, and in the late nineteenth-century it was a bustling commercial centre with market traders selling everything from fresh fish to garden tools but in recent years the market has declined with just a handful of Lower Marsh's 77 pitches being regularly occupied.

Now Westminster Artisans have been commissioned to run Lower Marsh Market for a one-year pilot in a bid to increase shopping on the iconic road. Shoppers can expect to find stalls selling organic fruit and vegetables, jewellery, designer cakes and olives.

It is hoped that the new market traders will lead to more people visiting the street and will encourage more of them to explore the scores of independent retailers which give Lower Marsh its unique character.

A launch event from 5.30pm - 7.30pm on Thursday, October 6th will see a Pearly King and Queen inspecting new fresh produce, clothing, street food and artisan goods stalls in Lower Marsh. The event will feature face painting, live music from Bowjangles, free food tasters and giveaways, and a 'design your barrow' competition.

Westminster Artisans also operates markets in Tachbrook Street and Maida Hill, and was appointed as a visiting market operator by Lambeth Council. Promotion of the market is being supported by Waterloo Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

Liz Thorpe-Tracey, director of Westminster Artisans, said: "We can’t wait to get started in Lower Marsh! Such a rich variety of shops and restaurants and so many interesting local characters, it’s the perfect spot for a vibrant street market.

Rebecca Rivers, owner of Waterloo Body Station in Lower Marsh, said: "I’m really excited that the street market is being revived. Lower Marsh is such a great street I’m hopeful the new market will encourage more people to discover this hidden shopping gem.

Lower Marsh market is open Monday to Saturday but the new market will run Wednesdays to Friday, with late nights on Thursdays. Occasional Saturday markets are also planned.

There is a great deal of affection for Lower Marsh Market and lots of interest in the street - we've had hundreds of responses from local people about what they would like to see here. It's such an exciting time for everyone on Lower Marsh. Everyone is talking about the new market - there's a real buzz about it on the street again.

Helen Santer, director of operations for Waterloo Quarter

Five other things about Lower Marsh:

• Lower Marsh is regularly used as a filming location, most recently appearing in international cinemas in One Day with Anne Hathaway (bar/restaurant Cubana doubled up as the Loco Caliente).
• The street is home to two of London’s best vintage clothing shops; Radio Days and What The Butler Wore. Lower Marsh also regularly plays host to vintage fashion shows and scooter rally Scoot the Thames.
• Other great independent retailers include delicatessen/cafe Greensmiths and health and beauty centre Waterloo Body Station (both recently featured in Quiet London by Siobhan Wall), knitting store I Knit London and a host of gift, business and home needs and specialist shops. The street also has a strong selection of pubs, restaurants and cafes.
• Lower Marsh is the setting for photography project People I Didn’t Know
• The Lower Marsh Regeneration Project will see up to £2million spent on improving the look of and access to the street while maintaining its unique character. Work is due to begin in January.

www.lowermarshmarket.co.uk

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What they were saying in 1849

An extract from the Morning Chronicle of 1849 reads:

At the New Cut there were, between the hours of 8 and 10 last Saturday evening [Nov. 1849], ranged along the kerb-stone on the north side of the road, beginning at Broad Wall to the Marsh, a distance of nearly half a mile, a dense line of itinerant tradesmen - 77 of whom had vegetables for sale, 40 fruit, 25 fish, 22 boots and shoes, 14 eatables, consisting of cakes and pies, hot eels, baked potatoes, and boiled whelks; 10 dealt in nightcaps, lace, ladies' collars, artificial flowers, silk and straw bonnets; 10 in tin ware-such as saucepans, teakettles, and Dutch-ovens; 9 in crockery and glass; 7 in brooms and brushes; 5 in poultry and rabbits; 6 in paper, books, songs, and almanacs; 3 in baskets; 3 in toys; 3 in chickweed and water- cresses; 3 in plants and flowers; 2 in boxes, and about 50 more in sundries, such as pig's chaps, black lead, jewellery, marine stores, side combs sheep's trotters, peep-shows, and the like.

The generality of these street markets are perfectly, free, any party being at liberty to stand there with his goods, and the 'pitch' or stand being secured simply by setting the wares down upon the most desirable spot that may be vacant. In order to select this, the hucksters usually arrive at the market at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and having chosen their 'pitch', they leave the articles they have for sale in the custody of a boy until 6 o'clock, when the market begins. The class of customers at these places are mostly the wives of mechanics and labourers.

Henry Mayhew