I also traded at the Hillfox Market for many years until I too, became fed up with the actual set up and vacated the premises as well. I am very grateful for the fact that my loyal client base follows me wherever I may decide to take my roadshow as well.
Coming back to the Hillfox Market per se – I think the problem is actually a three-pronged one:
1. Markets should be conducted by a non-profit organisation. At Hillfox, it is sad to note that one has the owners of the Mall and the owner of the market to contend with – and they both want their slice of the pie, it must be said! This results in astronomical rentals which puts huge pressure on stallholders who have to charge almost Shopping Mall prices in order to survive. Hence Joe Public decides that he/ she might just as well go and pay top prices at a Mall as opposed to going “bargain hunting” at these local markets. Flip side of the coin, had the ruddy place been run by a NPO, stall fees would be minimal, and there would be fewer mouths to feed as well. This all boils down to one thing and one thing alone: greed!
2. The poor state of our economy should not be put forward as an excuse for the poor performance of this market. The recession affects formal business big time! However, a market should be viewed as a “Bargain Basement” (these entities are referred to as “Petticoat Lanes” overseas) and one would expect to see people flocking to them seeking a bargain or two during a recession. That, sad to say, is not the case at Hillfox, due to reason number 1. Do not tell me that a recession adversely affects the attendance at and/ or performance of markets – I simply do not buy that.
3. Entertainment and appearance do make all the difference at places such as these markets. Look at the Hillfox Market and then you can see why people are refraining from going there. The entertainments – which used to bring in hordes of people when they performed outside in the piazza – leave a lot to be desired nowadays. Is there no budget to address this problem? Can the owner of the Mall not come on board and perhaps subsidise the entertainment bit? That sounds like a big ask in the first instance. The appearance of the market has also lost its mojo. For starters, the place is poorly lit. We then have the Food Court which looks totally spooked! Many years ago, one could not even get into the place easily! The food is generally not up to scratch, and, of course, prices are way over the top. A lot of my clients at the market actually ate at the restaurants in Town Square rather than visit the Food Court at the market.
Having read the above observations, I pray fervently that management of the mall and management of the market will put their heads together and find a way forward. Should that not transpire, then the fear is for the future of the market. I am very blessed with foresight – hence the decision to “hoist up the John B sail” and move on from the ruddy place.
