Faces of Plymouth Market from long-standing traders to newcomers
Plymouth Market has been a treasure trove of independent businesses serving the community for more than 60 years. While quite a bit has changed since it first opened in 1959, the market is still home to a vibrant mix of stalls selling a unique range of products. Located in the city’s West End, the market is one of Plymouth’s hotspots for quirky gifts, fresh produce, and diverse cuisines.
It has an extraordinary loyal following – and from talking to the people behind the stalls, it’s easy to see why. Some traders have been here for more than 30 years, with some taking on stalls which have been handed down from family or friends. Whilst other businesses have come and gone, many stalls are changing and evolving to this day and there is a strong sense of community amongst the traders.
The pannier market is home to more than 150 stalls and is owned by Plymouth City Council. Matt Jones has been the market manager for 17 years and has witnessed it undergo a significant refurbishment, following a GBP3.7million investment in 2017. It gave the market a brighter and fresher feel and created new opportunities for traders.
Matt believes it’s important for people to shop with small businesses and support the market as it helps contribute to the local economy. “We are constantly looking at how to evolve it,” he said. “Money from a market stays in the city and when people pay for parking or lunch, it goes into the traders’ pockets, which they then spend in the city. Try PlymouthLive Premium for FREE with no pop-up ads and new features[1] “The market has been here for a very long time and some people say we are on the wrong end of town.
People don’t think the market has changed but they should come here to see for themselves.
We get applications for new traders every day.”
We decided to pay a visit to the market to meet the people who make it an energetic and welcoming place, and to talk to them about why they are there and what they think about the city’s pannier market.
References
- ^ Try PlymouthLive Premium for FREE with no pop-up ads and new features (www.plymouthherald.co.uk)