How markets bring life to our streets

Mary Mckay, one of our volunteer community reporters, takes a personal look at shopping in Eastbourne as markets in the town grow in popularity

Another Friday, another 'big shop' in the supermarket. Here I go again, looking gloomily at shrink-wrapped cucumbers, tired beetroot, flavourless tomatoes and potatoes clearly past their best. 

Economies of scale mean that fruit and vegetables are often produced to last well rather than be flavoursome.  Surely it's possible to do better than this?

Luckily it is.  All over the country, farmers' markets are springing up, not least in our local area. 

Anyone who shops in Eastbourne town centre will be aware of the thriving traditional weekly Wednesday market with regular stall holders selling meat, exotic fruits, bakery goods, and local orchard fruits in season. There is also a Saturday market.

Phil, who comes all the way from Canterbury each week, was proud to show me the wide range of game, fresh eggs and high-quality meats on his stall.

There is also an eclectic mix of non-food stalls displaying everything from colourful wools to every conceivable flavour of dog treat. You really don't know what you need until you go to a market!

Each market is unique and in June last year, a farmers’ market started outside the Towner art gallery. It is held on the first Saturday every month. 

My first visit there was on a wet, windy day in early spring, and I was lucky enough to bump into the joint organisers of this sustainable event which sources produce as locally as possible.

The team who collaborated on the market are the Eastbourne Business Improvement District (BID), the Towner gallery, Eastbourne ECO Action Community Interest Company and community activist Miles Berkley.

Eastbourne Food Partnership director Andrew Durling and volunteer Miles Berkley travelled across Sussex to find stallholders with high-quality produce to sell.

The market was busy, despite the weather. Luke Johnson, BID operations manager, explained to me that when winds of 40 miles per hour or more are forecast, the market gazebos could become unsafe and the market can move indoors.

When I visited, stalls were selling honey, handmade bread and cakes, grass-fed meat and exceptionally fresh organic vegetables, some picked on the same day. 

Luke explained that they were aiming for people to be able to do their entire weekly shop here and were building up a solid customer base with many repeat customers. With a cosy coffee shop at hand in the Towner, the market has already become the place to meet friends.

Speaking to customers, I asked if they found prices higher than the supermarket. The consensus was that it was a little more expensive, but well worth it for the quality.

Was it worth their while to come to the Towner market, I asked stallholders. The answer was a resounding and consistent 'yes', not simply for financial reasons but also for the friendly and supportive atmosphere both from customers and other stallholders. 

Martin Tkalez, from Pevensey Cheeses, described it as a perfect setting, “well run, cost-effective and in a great location”. He summed it up as “small but perfectly formed” and, after a moment's thought: “Or does that sound cheesy?”

Fresh, top-quality produce, contented customers and stallholders, so why isn't everyone shopping in a market? 

A chat to the friendly checkout operator in my local small supermarket threw a slightly different light on things. When I mentioned that I shopped in farmers' markets she said she'd like to, but as a busy working mum just didn't have the time for that extra trip into town, or the money for car parking or bus fares.  “And then there's the weather ...” she added.

Perhaps the answer is not to take people to the market but sometimes take the market to people. 

A food and craft market is held on the first Friday of each month at the Sovereign Harbour Community Centre at the Crumbles, more easily accessible from the eastern end of town. 

With an indoor setting this promises to be a year-round, all-weather venue which will likely go from strength to strength.

The three successful produce markets now in Eastbourne, and others in nearby East Dean and Seaford, show that markets have become a well-loved feature of local life. 

With fresh food, fresh air, a chance to chat and catch up on the local gossip, what's not to like?

:: Mary Mckay is an English teacher and creative writer. She has lived in Eastbourne for 15 years and is passionate about the beautiful green spaces, heritage and history of the town