Chatsworth Road Market on its way

Chatsworth Road traders have campaigned for a street market since last year

A renaissance may be on the horizon in Lower Clapton: Chatsworth Road Market, which disappeared during the recession 20 years ago, could be set to return as early as next month.

After consultation and  meetings between members of the public and the Chatsworth Road Traders’ and Residents’ Association (TRA),  excitement is building about the market’s relaunch. Chatsworth Road will initially host a monthly Sunday market with 15 stalls. If successful, the TRA hopes this will become a weekly event with up to 60 stalls.

“It will be a monthly market for the first three months,” said Catherine Ford, TRA secretary. “It will act as an incubator to test whether we do a market more frequently.”

Market-goers will be able to shop for fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, flowers and DIY materials. However, Ford points out, “It is not just about what the people want, but also what the road doesn’t already have, because we really want to complement what is on the road, and not compete with it.”

Cllr Ian Rathbone cites events in February 2009 – when London shut down under a thick sheet of snow – as evidence of the strength of the community in the area. “On Chatsworth Road we did a kind of mini-survey and traders were reporting a tripling, sometimes even a quadrupling, of their takings because people couldn’t get very far or go down to the large Tesco,” he says, adding: “The local economy is in our own pockets.”

There are still obstacles for the project, but funding the initial stages is not one of them.

The TRA needs to raise a bare minimum of £1,000 to get the market going and cover the costs of the first three months, and Ford is confident that figure will be reached.

However, the TRA are intent on making Chatsworth Road Market a weekly event, meaning that issues such as funding and workforce are still in question.

For the initial three month period the market will mainly be run by volunteers and professional traders will occupy the stalls, but Ford recognises that such a structure will not necessarily guarantee the sustainability of a larger-scale market.

If you would like to be involved in Chatsworth Road Market – whether you are interested in donating towards the scheme, would like to trade or volunteer – contact Cllr Ian Rathbone: 07890 654 068.