Reigate Market…worthwhile? Your Opinions – Survey Results
“Calling a couple of stalls a market is a bit like calling my driveway a car park”
Two weeks ago I wrote a post on the current Farmer’s Market that takes place in Reigate on the fourth Friday of the month in Tunnel Road. You can read that post here.
I wrote the post due to my frustration and disappointment that, despite Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s promises through various newspaper articles over the last few years, they were ‘working’ on improving the market. I am sure that local residents will be well aware nothing has changed.
I questioned whether the current licence holders Hughmark International Ltd were fit and proper to be running the market and as to whether they were in breach of their contract with the council.
The post sparked quite a stir on Twitter, with many people commenting and voicing their opinions.
@partroot its about time,can’t believe the lack of stalls the last market before Christmas. Reigate is such a foody town it should thrive.
— NJ Maun (@NJMaun) January 12, 2014
@partroot Sadly a lot of commuters live in Reigate and just cannot make a Friday market! I’d support it if I could get to it! — Charlotte Thorpe (@charlottehgould) January 13, 2014
@partroot if you build it on a Saturday and they will come #reigatemarket — LoveReigate (@LoveReigate) January 13, 2014
@Dazlaaaar @partroot Totally agree with the article. Along with more stalls I’d like to see some street food make an appearance….
— Chris M.E. (@O_Golf) January 13, 2014
@partroot if there was a mkt in the tunnel on the other hand I’d be there every w/e. How many towns have a place as perfect as the tunnel!!
— Robin Lewis (@spacemanbin) January 13, 2014
Given that there was such a response on Twitter I decided to create an online survey about the market so that people could voice their opinions centrally. Over a period of two days nearly seventy people responded to the survey and offered many comments.
Here’s what the local folk of Reigate had to say about the market.
When asked “Have you visited Reigate Farmer’s Market in the pas 12 months?” every respondent answered and there was an impressive forty four comments left voluntarily. 31.4% said that they had visited the market and 68.6% said no. Of the respondents that said no and commented, these were the reasons given:
From this result it is apparent that the main reason for not visiting is the lack of stalls and the day of the week that the market is held. A similar response of not enough stalls and choice was echoed when asked if the market was visited was anything purchased. This appeared to be a strong theme running throughout responses to all questions with 63% commenting that they’re aren’t enough stalls or variety of traders when asked how they would rate the market.
Rating the market threw up a more mixed response though the general consensus, 74% thought that the market was very poor/poor.
Not surprisingly the results for “Do you think that the market is advertised enough?” had a whopping 89% say no it isn’t, with plenty of suggestions on how it could be marketed through social media, banners, leaflets, good branding and local media outlets. Of course if the market had more variety, showcasing local artisan producers and suppliers, the age old best medium for of marketing, ‘Word of Mouth,’ would have a huge impact.
One of the biggest issues and most repetitive comment made was that the market is held on the wrong day, over 90% of respondents to the question of what day of the week the market should operate said that it should be on a Saturday.
One comment that arose via twitter was that any improvement or development of the market shouldn’t be to the detriment of other events and activities. I think most people would agree that this goes without saying, though of course if the market becomes successful and increases footfall, that can only be a positive aspect for other events happening in the town and Tunnel Road itself. The whole ethos behind a community and supporting local traders is to work together. No one organisation should have the monopoly over one space.
There was a fair amount of support for the market to be held more frequently and that holding the market every 4 weeks meant that most people would miss the market or forgot that it was on. Infrequency combined with the lack of advertising looks like a major contributory factor of the failing market. 52% of respondents when asked said that they think the market should be weekly, 34% fortnightly and 14% for monthly.
A few people did comment to say that they would prefer it to be weekly but state that it may be better to operate it fortnightly and build up to a weekly market. People do want to use the market regularly and support local traders and producers.
Over half of the respondents visit other markets. Redhill being the most regular with people liking the fact that there is fresh fruit and veg but not keen on the other type of stalls and non food ones. Other markets mentioned were Westerham, Walton, Surbiton, Brighton Street Diner, Dorking, Horsham and London markets, Borough Market, Brockley Market & Columbia Road.
” I go to Borough Market because I know I can get fish, meat, seasonal and unusual veg, great unusual breads and cheeses. Some of these (Cullenders and Chalk Hills) are here already but Morrison’s aspirational start to the exotic veg has dwindled – it’s not that people don’t want it – it’s that people don’t want to shop in Morrison’s (that’s my theory – we get deliveries to save us that ignominy).”
Over 70% of respondents think that Tunnel Road is a good location, central and an asset to the town that should be utilised and have it’s potential maximised.
Not surprisingly all participants selected most of the types of traders listed that they would like to see at Reigate Market.
I think this shows that people in the area that Reigate market would service are looking for locally sourced seasonal fresh fruit & veg, meat, fish & poultry Artisan bread & charcuterie, cakes & weekend treats and quality hot food and street food. A go to market, regular destination, for not only Reigate but the surrounding area for the ardent foodie as well as the regular shopper.
Lastly the survey asked, ” What changes, if any, do you think would improve Reigate market?”. There was a total of forty three constructive comments regarding the future of Reigate market and what it could be.
“Fish would be a great addition as no other fishmongers. Craft stalls would also create a draw”
“Local, local, local”
” Make it a foodie market to fit the population”
“Someone in charge with a passion to make it a success it so obviously should be, not some faceless business that also looks after Redhill”
” Look to value as well as top end, especially given the poor quality of the local supermarket’s fresh fruit and vegetables – this should be a no brainer”
“More frequent. Artisan products”
“Move it to the weekend”
The full survey results are available here.
Please do feel free to comment on this post in the comments box below.
Lastly a huge thank you to all who took park in the survey wanting to make Reigate market the success it should be.
Thank you.
