Template:Courier-OCT-24-13

STREET MARKET IDEA IS TURNED INTO A TRIUMPH

There have now been two highly successful street markets in Claygate Parade, thanks to Milda Rakauskaite, who runs Ecocentric Us, the refill shop in The Parade. Her passion is to sell packaging-free goods, from breakfast cereal and eggs, to oils and pulses, to hand cream and soaps, and more. Here, she explains how the street market idea became reality—and how she is preparing for the next one.

What gave you the idea for a market?

When I moved to the shop in The Parade and saw the number of people at the Christmas Lights event, I thought why can't it be more often—The Parade is a perfect place for a market. I started asking customers about it and then Claygate resident Ruth Westlake came into the shop and said she had wanted to organise one some time ago. So we joined forces.

Were you confident it would work?

We didn't see why it wouldn’t. We had local shops in support and village people seemed very excited.

How did you go about setting it up?

We had to get official permission each time; also parking suspensions and insurance. We did ask for some help with insurance but that wasn't supported so we had to self-fund—buy insurance, pay for parking bay suspensions and organise road signs. We brought our own tables and chairs to set up a seating area for the second market.

How did you choose the stallholders?

I had a refill stall for two years at markets around Surrey, so the majority of traders are my old colleagues—and Ruth contacted some lovely new ones. We will try to have some main traders but others will rotate to make each event unique.

Any problems?

Visibility—and people knowing about the market. Elmbridge Borough Council is to help us get a banner which will help a lot.

Last-minute nerves?

We were very nervous before the first one. It was a big thing.

How did everyone respond and react?

Stallholders were selling out at both the markets. They were overwhelmed with the demand, calling it the best market, which made them want to come back. And the public reaction was very supportive, very happy and grateful. We’ve had people popping into the shop and stopping us in the street to thank us and ask us to organise more—which we will do!

Do you have any rules?

Ruth and I have the same ethos—sustainability is very important to us. Traders have terms and conditions asking them to use sustainable materials; no single-use plastic is allowed—if we see any we won’t invite the trader to the next market. So local, low carbon footprint traders are especially welcome.

How does it tie in with your shop?

The market did bring more trade to my shop and to the others who decided to open. It is a great opportunity for people coming from outside Claygate to discover the shops we have on The Parade.

Ecocentric Us is growing slowly but has ups and downs. I am working hard and concentrating on the positivity it brings us. I have been open for a year and we have saved an enormous amount of plastic—and this is very positive! Thank you for all your support.

Next?

The next market is on Sunday December 15 and we are aiming to close the whole road—so save the date. See Instagram for updates: @claygatemarket.