History of Sneinton Market
In 2005 Sneinton was host to a project funded by the New Economics Foundation and emda known as ‘Local Alchemy’. That same year market traders were awarded £10,000 from the New Alchemist Fund; both organisations appreciated the importance of a market in the community and the market was re-launched as Sneinton Community Traders. The public had some doubts about major supermarkets, and there were question marks over freshness and supply chains - it seemed like a good time to revive and attract new traders and customers so that the Market could reclaim its place as a centre of the community and beyond. With this in mind the Market continued – but there were certain issues that couldn’t be overcome with trading alone
New Directors Brian and Wendy took over the Market. Sneinton locals, they had been busy working with the Save Victoria Baths Campaign and ‘Sneinton Alchemy’. With a big interest in heritage and regeneration, Brian and Wendy were committed to seeing Sneinton develop and grow. The couple spent the first few months getting to know the stall holders and working out the best way of taking the traditional market into the 21st century. ‘What strikes me most’ said Wendy’ is just how many of the market traders have stood here for generations. During the Baths campaign we really started to explore the area and appreciate the links that have grown up over 150 years. This is really important to people who belong to the area and whose families have a long connection with the place.’
Sneinton itself had undergone many changes too, not least the development of student housing and a new and ever-growing undergraduate population. The task was to maintain and rebuild good relations with the current market traders and local community which already shops there, and also cater for a new audience. Sneinton is home to many different people including young professionals and musicians who like to get up later and make more a social occasion out of shopping!
Markets had been struggling for a while now, and Sneinton is no different. One of the things high on the Agenda was working with the City Council and Nottingham Regeneration Ltd to find solutions to some of the factors that work against the Market. Car parking is one issue; revenues and numbers of stallholders had gone down ever since changes to the parking rules in the early 2000’s. The old wholesale units had fallen into disrepair, and ever since one was burned out in 2007 the market looked really run down. ‘We no longer have a market office to work from’ said Brian.
Events were held, and these were popular with the traders. A Fun day held in aid of ‘’Save Victoria Baths’ in May attracted hundreds. With a Bouncy castle, free swimming (courtesy of the Council) entertainments and many extra stalls the place was buzzing. ‘We think this is what the Market should be like now, not just stalls to buy household goods – though that should be the basis - but a venue for music, entertainment, arts and crafts. A picture of the richness of community that St Ann’s and Sneinton has to offer. A consultation held showed that most people were in favour of keeping a swimming pool on the historic site. For Heritage Open Day 2008 the market staged an exhibition on the history of Victoria Baths and Sneinton Market. The history of Nottingham’s development from the time of Inclosure in the 1850’s showed how the City fathers laid the site down for leisure, cleanliness and open space. This underlined the importance of saving Victoria Baths. The Baths Campaign held a further publicity campaign and we sought people’s memories of the Baths and the market...’because people told us that the two belonged together’. The Council listened and the new Victoria Leisure Centre was conceived.
The numbers of stallholders was up again and the buzz with the traders said ‘Sneinton is coming back!’ The Clock Tower saved, and consultation work such as the Gehl Study gave the go-ahead to keep the market thriving into the future.
The City Council gave the Market funding for some new stalls. Flea markets, farmer markets, further all day events and entertainment were planned. The second high quality crafts market ‘Apples and Pears and Crafty Wares’ market was held on June 27th to launch Sneinton Festival. The future looked to development of Sneinton Market as a place that will live on not just in people’s hearts, but in their weekly lives. In the economic downturn, could the Market offer bargains, community, and even an alternative to the supermarkets that lodged in every corner of the City Centre? Apples and Pears became a success and a new bi-monthly ‘Transition Market’ on the second Saturday added another themed day to the mix. ‘Transition’ brought a lovely local feel, very much like a Farmers Market, with Stonebridge Honey, plants from Eco Works, hand-made soap and skill-sharing workshops.
Plans were revealed for the new Square;
Link to http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/New-look-Sneinton-Market-revealed/article-2057831-detail/article.html
‘Soundings’ Consultancy worked with us on how the future should look. The vision is for a creative village around the Conservation area to house the many artists around Sneinton and the Lace Market – a Creative Quarter for Nottingham. A big Christmas Market was held on the 13th December and in spite of being FREEZING, it was a really successful day. ‘Christmas lights! What we need is some Christmas lights!’ The traders felt that was all we really needed on top of the hot soup, and a liberal supply of Margaret’s hats, scarves and gloves!
The old Leisure Centre was demolished, and I was sad to see the girders go over the old Oval Pool. The Clock Tower looks wonderful cleaned and dressed, and it’s great that it is still there. I like the pool frontage and feel that it made the Baths Campaign well worthwhile.
The redevelopment kept us very busy, and Brian is still down there every Saturday morning, conducting business outside GB’s cafe. We were told that we could go back on half of the Square in July, but didn’t press for that in view of the mammoth construction site it had now become. So we are still on Gedling Street.
Aid Assist came to the Market in September, and Sharon and Eshak are helping us to plan the new Market with great energy and ideas. We have enjoyed working with Jennie Syson and Neville Gabie on the Orchard Project and the planting of the trees on the Square. Kirstie and Richard from the City Council are also people we need to thank, they couldn’t have been more helpful. The launch will be great and we of course are concentrating on what comes after! Community interest is high – watch this space!