Night markets up for debate in Hackney as council unveils raft of plans to boost local trade

Markets are ‘part of the very fabric’ of Hackney, a councillor has said. Photograph: Kriss Lee

Night markets could be coming to Hackney if residents and traders think they are a good idea.

Town Hall bosses are planning to open up evening markets on Dalston’s Ashwin Street, home to the Arcola Theatre, and Clifton Street in Shoreditch.

The move is part of a five-year plan to give markets and shops a post-pandemic boost, and the council is asking traders and locals what they think.

Hackney’s street markets currently attract six million visitors a year and the council thinks opening some at night would “really support nearby hospitality businesses and others, such as barbers and personal care, and help them
to thrive and increase foot traffic”.

The idea is for markets to open from 5pm until 9pm, with the hope that people will visit after leaving work.

In 2021, the council tried out a lunchtime street food market in Clifton Street, and this now runs from 11am to 3pm on weekdays.

It has already tried out a night food market in Kingsland Road in Dalston from 7pm to 2am. The area is a popular night spot and the council’s head of markets Kevin Keady told a economy and growth in Hackney scrutiny meeting that there were no complaints from residents about the late hours.

People are being asked if they support a night-time market there on Fridays.

Cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services Susan Fajana-Thomas said markets “are a vital ingredient in the diversity, passion, innovativeness and independence of Hackney”.

She added: “They are part of the very fabric of community, commerce, and heritage of the borough. They are places where people can come together and belong.”

Hackney has helped some very established names get their first foot on the ladder.

Street trader Jack Cohen started out at Well Street market in 1919 before eventually opening Tesco supermarkets.

The council is consulting on a range of plans for 10 street markets and one indoor market, along with 32 street trading sites.

Proposals include a review of hours at each market, including evening trading.

The Town Hall is also looking at shutting Chatsworth Road market to traffic on Sundays after concerns from traders and residents.

Currently, cars and double-decker buses can travel through the centre of the market.

Extra days are also up for consideration at some markets, including opening Chatsworth Road market on Saturdays and staging food courts at Hoxton Street Market and Ridley Road Market on Sundays to increase footfall.

The council has also earmarked possible sites for new markets in Abney Park, Clissold Park, Hoxton Square, Hackney Downs, Haggerston Park, and Yoakley Road.

Other moves include a new traders licence for homeless people with no fixed address to give them a leg up, and increased support for young entrepreneurs.

Ice cream traders could also get a (n)ice surprise with a review of their licences so they can stay in any spot for longer than the 15 minutes they are currently allowed.

Plans have also been drawn up to train traders into mental health champions, as well as to help markets go paper-free and cut down on single-use plastics.

The council is holding a series of drop-in sessions at Ridley Road Market Office between 5pm and 7pm on Saturday 24 June and Thursday 29 June, and between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 5 July.

The consultation runs until 23 July.