Meeting Hears of Future Ambitions for Markets in Chiswick
Improvements to car park area and a fourth Sunday market being considered
'Old Market Place' is the location for the Sunday markets
Over 70 people turned up to hear presentation of the future of markets in Chiswick at the George IV this Monday (10 October). The aim of the meeting was to ‘start a conversation’ about the future of ‘Old Market Place’ the area in front of the former police station where three Sunday markets are currently held.
The event was organised by the Chiswick Flower Market and one of its directors, Ollie Saunders, set the context with information about the town centre ‘masterplan’ activity being run by Hounslow Council, footfall data showing increased numbers of visitors to Chiswick High Road on market Sundays compared to Sundays without a market, and floated the idea of another market on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Kath Mitra presented the results of surveys run by Chiswick Flower Market covering visitors to the market, an online survey and face-to-face surveys with local businesses. Members of the public responding were overwhelmingly in favour of the markets although the proportion in favour was slightly less emphatic amongst businesses. Over 80% of local businesses responding to the survey had a favourable view of the market with only 10% having an unfavourable view. A significant majority of people and businesses supported another market on the fourth Sunday with a wide range of opinions as to what the market might be.
Karen Liebreich covered the current situation with Old Market Place which she described as being in a poor state of repair. A key improvement would be the provision of electricity and water for traders setting up in the area. She then introduced chartered landscape architect Luke Greysmith, who has been commissioned by the Chiswick Flower Market team to draw up some design concepts for Old Market Place to spark discussion.
The Cheese market is one of the three monthly markets held on a Sunday
A key element of the possible plan is the introduction of additional greenery in the form of rain gardens that would alleviate flooding caused by downpours overwhelming the existing drainage system. Mr Greysmith explained how the space could be de-cluttered and made more flexible for different uses. Most existing car parking could be retained and plans could address the current design where spaces are compromised by tree roots and less than standard widths. His proposals would reduced the number of parking spaces from 52 to 44 and see a pedestrianised area created in the currently unused access road.
The floor was opened up to questions chaired by local resident Will Harwood. Several speakers commented that the plans could be even more ambitious. Comments also came from Jenny Titmuss, director of the Antiques Market and Honor Barratt, Chief Executive of Birchgrove Homes, the developer of the former Police Station site.
The Chiswick Flower Market team says it has listened to all comments and suggestions and hope to feed the eventual proposals into the next stage of discussions about the future for Chiswick. The presentations and plans have been published on the Chiswick Flower Market website chiswickflowermarket.com and comments can be made by anyone to email info@chiswickflowermarket.com.
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October 15, 2022
