Consulting with free smoothies
Smooth Operators!
They say there is no such thing as a free lunch…but just before the August bank holiday weekend hundreds of shoppers in North End were treated to a range of delicious (and nutritious!) free fresh fruit smoothies courtesy of Surrey Street Market.
The smoothies (costing just a few pence each and paid for from money charged to some of the many film production companies who use the market as a film location) were made and served up by staff from the Council who were out on the street to get the views of a wide range of people about what is right – and wrong – with our historic local street market and its surrounding area. In return for a refreshing drink of pure fresh fruit passers by were asked to fill in a short questionnaire and some were subsequently invited along to one of two focus group sessions where questions about ideas for the future of the area were examined in more detail.
A big driver for this work is that over the next few years a series of major new developments will bring more people into the area as high quality flats are brought in to replace some of those above the currently rather run-down shops and luxury loft-style apartments are created elsewhere. As well as this, a brand new public piazza will be opened up around the old Victorian pumping station, and there are high hopes that this imposing listed building will eventually become a cultural and creative centre.
The surveys were therefore all part of a wider consultation exercise that has been ongoing for several months and has allowed the Council to develop a vision statement for the area (see box above).
Indeed, the survey and focus group results underlined just how much local people want to see the area preserved and improved.
It is clear that protecting the future of the Surrey Street area needs to be an important goal for Croydon as this thriving street market has both historical importance and a place at the centre of the town's plans to create a network of cultural and creative excellence.
Your Favourite Smoothie!
Get a blender and pour in a good splash of an exotic fruit juice (guava, pomegranate, mango…you choose).
Add a handful of ice cubes and spin the blender to crush the ice.
Peel and chop a selection of two or three of your favourite seasonal fruit (make sure it’s nice and ripe). Try mango, peach and pineapple – or throw in a banana if you like a thicker mix.
Whiz the blender again until smooth…enjoy!
What the survey said
Activities you want
The most popular activity in a regenerated Surrey Street was market trading (67%), with other popular activities being events and festivals (46%), eating and drinking (44%) and street entertainment (39%).
What you want Surrey Street to look like
The most popular physical change was improving public space, such as piazzas and new paved areas (57%), Themed markets such as craft markets and farmers markets on special days (ie days on which the current market is not open) were popular (53%), as was widening the variety of produce available in the existing market (46%)
What’s best?
Respondents liked the lively atmosphere of the market, with friendly traders, perceived as being great ‘characters’, calling out trying to sell their produce. People also liked the diversity of the area, where they can buy produce from different cultures. The price of the produce was also seen as a positive; that they were able to buy quality fruit and vegetables at a cheap price. The heritage of the area was appreciated, which was seen as being rare in Croydon, although one person commented that this is currently hidden.
What’s not so good?
Respondents felt that the worst aspect of Surrey Street as it is now is the congestion, the quality of produce available, the poor cleanliness of the area (both dirty and large amounts of litter and discarded produce), and the lack of variety available (some respondents would like be buy organic and local produce at the market) . The architecture was seen as drab and unattractive and not in keeping with its heritage.
What the focus groups said
• Ensure that the traditional market stays
• Make the market area more arty, like Covent Garden or Gabriel’s Wharf on the South Bank
• Build piazzas, where there are pleasant smells and a nice atmosphere, with something nice to look at
• Give the area a holiday atmosphere, sitting out with the family in the evenings, eating, listening and watching people go bye.
• A family-friendly area
• Somewhere for a great day out in Croydon
• A market where you can choose best quality at the best price with the best service.
Tuesday, 29 August 2006