Southampton Market Celebrates Attendance High

19 September 2006:

Aerial view of Southampton Bargate’s new Friday market

Traders at Southampton Bargate’s new Friday market are celebrating after the release of a visitor survey today (18th August 2006). Pedestrian Market Research Services found that 35,700 people attended the street market in one day.

Southampton’s City Centre Manager Ian Rothwell, who was responsible for arranging the market, is delighted. “Southampton is bucking the trend in markets,” says Mr Rothwell.

Southampton-born Paul Lewis, 48, who runs the market on behalf of City Centre Management, explains the key factors, “We have insisted on top quality products and service, we have ensured a wide range of goods are on sale, and all the traders are committed to working together. We are taking the traditional market up-market.” The result, says Mr Lewis, has been a 62% increase in visitors to the Bargate area compared to last year.

Visitors to the market notice straightaway the lack of clothes stalls. “One of the first decisions we took,” says former docker Mr Lewis, “was to avoid cheap clothing. We want to offer something different. We’re keen to attract local produce and cottage industries and traders with a commitment to customer service.”

In a major innovation, all Southampton’s traders have put themselves on the same footing as the best high street shops by offering guarantees and refunds to unhappy customers.

Low rents help attract enterprising new businesses. Among the unusual products attracting lots of interest are organic Polish bread, Iranian olives and other produce, Bonzai trees, wood carvings, New Forest sausages and coffee beans from throughout the world.

One of the most popular stalls offers genuine top brand perfumes and cosmetics at discount prices. There is also traditional fresh produce including a top quality local butcher, a baker and a huge fruit and vegetable stall.

One of the secrets of the market’s success is that it is run on a co-operative basis. “All traders have to be members,” explains Paul Lewis. “That way, they are all committed to the market’s success and all take a pride in what they are doing.”

As well as the regular Friday market, City Centre Management will be presenting a three day European market at the Bargate over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Pedestrian Market Research Services carried out their survey on Friday 16th June 2006.

For further information contact:
Paul Lewis at Southampton Market Traders Co-operative
Tel: 07971 646483 or 023 9248 6777.