A 700-year-old market’s long anticipated return to Kent following an arduous two-year battle has been labelled a “win-win”.
Stalls returning to St George’s Street in the heart of Canterbury today (Wednesday) received have received a warm and heartfelt reception.
Featuring 12 Kent-based traders offering a range of goods from jewellery to fresh lemonade and clothing, the market was controversially scrapped by the previous Tory administration in 2022 following the £1 million renovation of the area.
Seeing it return was one of the new Labour-Lib Dem coalition’s key aims following their victory last year.
Reaction to the reopening has been unanimously positive among traders and residents.
Theodora Aristeidou, who runs the Island of Gold stall, told KentOnline it had been a respectable start to proceedings.
She said: “I’ve been trading by Whitefriars and that’s been successful, so I’m really excited about today.
“It’s lovely for the historic market to be back and we just hope that the public will also be excited and that they’ll come visit us.
“It’s looking good and the atmosphere among the traders is really nice.”
Tricia Wright of Retro Remix, which also has a clothing store in Palace Street, said: “To me, it’s very exciting and interesting and it’s also an adventure.
“It’s a chance for me to learn more about different fashions and cultures in the city.
“And to be able to show more people our product and teach about fashion can only be a good thing.”
And Beardy B’s Lemonade boss Brogue Stephens spoke of his pride at seeing his award-winning business feature on the momentous occasion.
He added: “A fair few people have come out today, twelve stalls is a decent-sized market so that’s also a good sign.”
Offering fresh fish, bread and cakes, Mediterranean deli, vintage clothing, skincare products, pet items and jewellery, the new market has maintained an emphasis on quality following talks held with the public.
But absent from the vibrant new line-up in St George’s Street are any of the original stallholders, who have decided to retain their street trading pitches after feuding with the council over costs.
Instead, they have preferred to remain at the solo pitches they were allocated elsewhere in the city centre after the market first closed.
The stallholders say the new St George’s Street pitches are too expensive and their customers are now used to finding them in their current spots.
A 10% hike in costs was deemed unacceptable by the previous traders, though the authority argues the rise is in line with most other increases introduced as part of the latest budget on April 1.
One trader who was absent from the new market was jewellery maker Attilio Termine, who previously had a stall at the market for 10 years.
He previously told KentOnline: “I have a great street pitch here opposite Mercery Lane with a view of the Cathedral and lots of footfall, and now people know where I am, trade has been good.
“To be honest, the new fees for the market are too steep and I also have greater flexibility.
“I don’t think there would be any advantage for me to go back.”
However, despite the absence of the old guard, council officials maintain having them spread out around the city alongside the market is a win-win situation.
“Not only do we have the new traders but also the existing ones who are now well established on their street pitches, so it’s a win-win for the city,” says council spokesman Rob Davies.
And Sharlie Dunstan, the market development officer at Canterbury City Council, reiterated the authority’s belief in this whilst also vowing to use the feature to bolster the area.
She told KentOnline: “We want the experience to start from the moment you get off the train and come into the city centre, so as much space as we can utilise, the better.
“As for today, the sun’s out, traders are smiling and making sales and I think that’s the whole aim of us being here.
“St George’s Street is a prime location, isn’t it? So it’s great to get it reanimated with some local businesses and friendly faces.
“Moving forward, we’re going to be working very closely together – they’re our customers, so our main priority is to make sure that they do well and support them in every way we can.”
Council leader Alan Baldock added: “This is the green shoots of the growth of our market, every Wednesday now going forward, this is just the start.”
Whilst it previously opened on Wednesdays and Fridays, it is understood the attraction will only maintain the former slot for the meantime.