News / Shirehampton
Braving the rain to support market’s five-year anniversary
People braved the rain on Thursday to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the monthly Shirehampton Market.
The market, situated at the Tithe Barn, has been praised for not only serving as a market but also by bringing those more isolated on the fringes of Bristol to a homely and inviting social hub.
Trader Nathan Russ, 36, joined by mum Helen, to trade for the second time at Shirehampton Market – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Photographer Nathan Russ who has been trading at markets for the last 18 months across the South West, with the last two being spent at Shirehampton, has noticed many more people attending this market than the previous ones.
is needed now More than ever
“It’s been a very very slow this year, because of the cost of living crisis, compared to last year, it’s not great,” Nathan said.
“But we know when the good times roll, we’re gonna do well.”
He was drawn to this market due to its sustained longevity and a number of recommendations. And now that he’s experienced it himself, he has praised everyone’s friendliness and keen attitude to help each other.
Nathan said that the market attracts a very localised community who are generally older, often with mobility issues.
Enthusiastically echoing the same sentiment as Nathan, Rebel Cheese owner Beverly Sheerman loves seeing her regulars try her latest cheesy offerings – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Becca Lloyd, a lecturer representing City of Bristol College and the courses they hold at Shirehampton Public Hall, comes to the market “to highlight the fact that we are here to serve the community, as Shire is a little bit out of the city”.
Keen to dissect its success, she believes that the market works well because it has an “established foundation, and the space is very special. its focus on homemade, handmade and local artisan makes it very unique”.
Derek Sowton, a 67-year-old Shirehampton resident has been attending the market for over two-years – photo: Hannah Massoudi
Shirehampton resident, Derek Sowton told Bristol24/7 “I think it’s good to support local crafts and local people, drink their tea, eat their cake”.
Sat a table with friends, and true to his word, enjoying cake and tea, he says: “You see local faces here.”
The market isn’t just a good opportunity to peruse the local offerings, but also “a good social hub.”
Also in attendance as their special guest to celebrate the market’s fifth birthday was lord lieutenant Peaches Golding, who gave a speech and cut a celebratory cake.
Reflecting on the day’s event, Ash Bearman, community development officer for Shirehampton Community Action Forum said: “The importance of the high street market has become paramount for our local community.
“Our own high street continues to suffer due to high rents being charged by landlords, to our much needed shop keepers and the goods they sell.
“It is extremely hard to shop local with businesses closing due to no fault of their own. Only recently we lost our Super Saver Store which was very popular and a great loss to us all.”
Shirehampton Market’s success, Ash continues, “is down to the hard work of the management team, our volunteers and our market traders”.
“We each believe in what we are doing and the local community continue to shop with us on a monthly basis buying the essentials they need locally. If we lose them there then there would be no market.”
Main photo: Hannah Massoudi
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