Stafford Market

Teapot69

A few posts under my belt
hi at the risk of being shot down i visit the market but to be honest it just doesn't offer me anything different i that i really want to make the effort to go there. That could also be said of the high street in Stafford though, just the same old same old chains nothing exciting. I love going to independent traders when they offer something different and better to high street chains. I use the guy in the market who repairs the phone screens a lot (kids are always breaking something) he is great and a perfect example of how an independent trader should be ie reliable, he smiles and offers great customer service and is reasonably competitive price wise. To be honest i'm happy not to bother comparing his prices anymore simply because its worth supporting him for his customer service.

i'm disappointed there is nothing exciting in the market that catches the mood of shoppers and that would bring them in for example regular crafting suppliers, cake decorating equipment, stationery, These are just a few things there must be many others stalls that others would come in and support if there was something different. I know there are these kinds of shops elsewhere out of town but we are talking about the market.

However my biggest gripe and it really puts me off the market every single time is the smell of the cafe. Oh God just writing now is making heave the smell of the old cooking oil/fat which so badly needs changing is awful. The whole cafe set up is wrong and just doesn't appeal. (really don't wish to offend anyone running it) Obviously if the traders wish to continue with the cafe as it is because that's what they want then that is there choice but to me there lies your biggest problem and quite frankly unless that cafe is updated along with the choice stalls then the future is quite bleak regretfully.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
hi at the risk of being shot down i visit the market but to be honest it just doesn't offer me anything different i that i really want to make the effort to go there. That could also be said of the high street in Stafford though, just the same old same old chains nothing exciting. I love going to independent traders when they offer something different and better to high street chains. I use the guy in the market who repairs the phone screens a lot (kids are always breaking something) he is great and a perfect example of how an independent trader should be ie reliable, he smiles and offers great customer service and is reasonably competitive price wise. To be honest i'm happy not to bother comparing his prices anymore simply because its worth supporting him for his customer service.

i'm disappointed there is nothing exciting in the market that catches the mood of shoppers and that would bring them in for example regular crafting suppliers, cake decorating equipment, stationery, These are just a few things there must be many others stalls that others would come in and support if there was something different. I know there are these kinds of shops elsewhere out of town but we are talking about the market.

However my biggest gripe and it really puts me off the market every single time is the smell of the cafe. Oh God just writing now is making heave the smell of the old cooking oil/fat which so badly needs changing is awful. The whole cafe set up is wrong and just doesn't appeal. (really don't wish to offend anyone running it) Obviously if the traders wish to continue with the cafe as it is because that's what they want then that is there choice but to me there lies your biggest problem and quite frankly unless that cafe is updated along with the choice stalls then the future is quite bleak regretfully.

Good point well made
 

Palu23

A few posts under my belt
Hi Teapot, no not offended at all. I agree with what your saying to be honest. I know there's some gems in there but as I said before, they're diluted by stalls that seem to sell a variety of tat.

I think it needs the sort of traders selling at the makers market. I was gutted the one last week had to be cancelled as the stuff they're selling is different, interesting and each stall has a clear product rather than a variety of random things.

My husband opened the barber shop in there a couple of months ago so we're in a slightly different position as he's offering a service rather than a product. We've done our best to revamp what was a very dated blue rinse style hairdressers and turned it into what people will hopefully consider a clean and friendly environment. I know my husband is good at what he does (he's Turkish so barbering is in his blood!). I just wonder whether the stigma created around the market would put some people off visiting. Having said that, he's quite established now and having many repeat customers which is very encouraging.

It's good to hear people's views whatever they may be as some times the powers that be thinks they know what the problems are without actually listening to anyone.
 

Frontal

Well-Known Forumite
I go through often for a browse but rarely buy much (often just some materials for crafting). The issue as I see it is the place is very ..... dated.

It's a bit depressing to wall around, and if with a visitor I wouldn't really push them for a plod around.
 

Palu23

A few posts under my belt
Just informed my husband of this. He is rather excited.

Brilliant! If your husband just lets him know he'd like his ears doing as well when he has his cut he'll be happy to oblige (all included in the price of course, but my husband just doesn't want to scare customers off by suddenly sizzling their ear hairs when they're not expecting it!)
 

AlexTheGreat

A few posts under my belt
I think they should have local musicians and bands playing around the market area. Gives people a reason to come over and see what there is.
 

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
but my husband just doesn't want to scare customers off by suddenly sizzling their ear hairs when they're not expecting it!)
That cheered me up with a giggle :) Good luck with your barbers business . Might send hubby in to have his ear hairs sizzled as a suprise early xmas pressie...

I tend to only walk through the market to use the loos these days, (as I'm a bit wary of who might be hanging around in the much cleaner public loos across the road) and last time we went in a couple of weekends ago hubby decided to have a browse around the market afterwards. He made a beeline for the cheese stall but after just nipping in (and swiftly out again as I couldn't hold my breath for long) the stinky filthy ladies loos that morning, all I wanted to do was get out of the place. With kids that were screaming at the time , and old people blocking the way whilst chatting to each other on the route out put me off ever going back in the place.

My impressions of the market lately are storeholders not at their stalls as they are chatting elsewhere, mainly oldies on their scooters or sitting on the bench inside the door , and a whole feeling of gloom.

I used to love the old market, shame they ever got rid !
 
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