These positive market forces have prompted eight more stalls to arrive this month and further additions are expected to join later in the year.
National market experts have praised the quality of the Southend Market which has continued to prove popular with shoppers whatever the weather.
The market, led by a cross-party working group of Southend-on-Sea Borough Councillors, was ceremonially opened last October by Deputy Mayor of Southend, Councillor Chris Walker.
It began with 15 stalls covering 20 pitches . The regulars are:
- Fruit & Veg Stall
- Ladies & Men Fashion
- Ladies Young Fashion
- Haberdashery
- Footwear, gloves & hats
- Breads, Pastries & Patisserie
- Household goods
- Handbags & Luggage
- Wrapped food products (cakes, biscuits, etc)
- Giftware
- Bed linen
- Pet Food & Accessories
- Bagged sweets
- Plants
- Butcher
- Printing/PC accessories
- Jewellery
- Ladies Fashion
- Toys
- Cheeses & Pies
- Dog’s Accessories
- Cut Flowers
“A member of the National Market Trader Federation visited the market last month and was very impressed with her initial findings - in particular the quality and set up of the stalls. We are working very hard to make sure we maintain these high standards
“We have also arranged that from Thursday 17th April, Southend Association of Voluntary Services (SAVS) will manage a stall for a different charity each week and there has been an overwhelming response from charities wishing to participate. The operator of the Farmers & Craft Market very kindly donated a gazebo in support these fund-raising efforts.
“The market has room to expand further and we hope to bring in more traders later in the spring and summer. All the applications for stalls are considered by a market trader panel, which includes Council officers and a representative from Southend Business Improvement District.
“We are very grateful to Trevor Day, a local market specialist and trader who helped the Council’s Town Centre Management team set up and run the market.”