Wembley Park Markets First Day

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    Exactly a year ago today the popular Wembley market was closed indefinitely.

    Today we see Wembley market return and I went along, so read on to find out how it went.

    I should remind you that the market is now under new management and in a new location along Olympic Way which is a few yards away from the stadium car park where it used to be.

    The reason for the people’s market being taken away was allegedly due to a small fraction of the 500 market stalls selling fake goods. Stalls selling fake goods were the problem of Wendyfairs the original operator, not the people or the legitimate traders problem.

    Unfortunately local press have always chosen to taint the legacy of the people’s market which has become disproportionately remembered only as a place that sold fake goods.

    So to rectify this, the local media had a chance of relaunching the market publicly in the right way. Disappointingly the headlines merely dubbed the return of Wembley market as ‘fake free’. Although a better reflection of the public’s feelings would be to simply mention the return of the people’s market or the return of traders who people might have missed.

    Maybe the local press can educate readers about the benefits of a counterfeit free market. Such as fake goods deprive Brent Council of tax revenue that could be used to fund community initiatives?

    The new Wembley ‘Park’ market has been accompanied by a multichannel campaign consisting of huge unmissable outdoor banners, direct mail and Adwords.

    In contrast, Wendyfairs have always been low fidelity and didn’t rely on advertising because word of mouth pretty much did the job for 40 years. Noticeably, it has been seen as a need to enhance the people’s market with a knapsack of ‘place-maker’ ideas such as market ambassadors and endorsements from high-profile industry experts.

    There is a risk of overkill with the ‘place branding’ of Wembley market, I think Quintain should scale back on the bells and whistles somewhat. Let the people’s market speak for itself.

    So how was the first day?

    Caribbean stall

    The people’s market returned back to the shadows of the unmistakable arch.

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    The food quarter was lively with a variety of traders returning with the usual offering of chips, hot dogs, Caribbean cuisine & halal kebab.

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    New gourmet additions included: Eastern European cuisine.

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    Indian cuisine in the form of Turban Street which looked impossible to ignore.

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    Impressively prepared on an unusual semi-spherical hot plate heating device, kind of like an upside down steal pan.

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    Let the assemblement of a delicious lamb roti with mint yoghurt dressing begin.

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    For £5 this is what you get, it was very tasty though.

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    Wembley market’s distinct sound of Mr Quality who was notorious for pumping the atmosphere with a colourful mix of vintage reggae and glitzy Bollywood music was noticeably absent. As a replacement we had what seemed to be a musician strumming away on his guitar on a designated Wembley Park busking spot. So not as lively as it used to be but definitely more subtle and chilled out, I should mention there was also a steel pan band whose sound complimented the sunny afternoon.

    As a huge coffee fan I had to try the new artisan street coffee offering via an impressive customised mobile barista bar. Unfortunately for them I’m a bit of a coffee connoisseur which is difficult not to be in London as there’s lot’s of great independent coffee houses like some of my favourites Prufrock, Monmouth, Workshop just to name-drop a few.

    So naturally I was going to be a tough customer, the service was pleasant and friendly although it was quite strange when the barista decided to fist bump my girlfriend. I regret to say this but my coffee was below average, bitter and a bit rough rather than the smooth expertly crafted beverage I was hoping to boost my Sunday afternoon with.

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    Maybe it was a dud, I’ll happily try it next week to see if it was just a one-off crappy coffee?

    So Wembley Sunday market is back and its first day was good, I noticed a few of the former traders have returned and it was equally good to see curious locals return to daylight for an early Sunday market stroll.

    Address: Olympic Way, Wembley Park, HA9

    Call: +447590 219887 or +447795 574602

    Website: Wembley Park Market

     

  • Opening Times

    October 2014

    • Sunday 5th
    • Sunday 12th
    • Sunday 19th
    • Sunday 26th (closed, NFL Lions V Falcons at Wembey Stadium)

    November 2014

    • Sunday 2nd
    • Sunday 9th (closed, NFL Cowboys V Jaguars at Wembey Stadium)
    • Sunday 16th
    • Sunday 23rd
    • Sunday 30th

    December 2014

    • Sunday 7th
    • Sunday 14th
    • Sunday 21st
    • Sunday 28th

    January 2015

    • Sunday 4th
    • Sunday 11th
    • Sunday 18th
    • Sunday 25th

    February 2015

    • Sunday 1st
    • Sunday 8th
    • Sunday 15th
    • Sunday 22nd

    March 2015

    • Sunday 1st
    • Sunday 8th
    • Sunday 15th
    • Sunday 22nd


David Goodwin has been blogging since 2010 and is the author of Blog on the Block where he covers civic & social topics. Goodwin hosts the podcast, Pod on the Block. He is the founder and company director of user experience consultancy Uxfam Ltd.

Leave a Reply

7 comments
  • 9 pictures in your Email. All food. Were there no other Stalls? I would not want to eat from any of these places. Sorry. Why did I not receive any notification that the market was re-opening? I am on your list. All I received was these pictures today(Mon) of “Yesterday’s” event. Great publicity I don’t think..If,as your Email shows it is Food only then I shall not bother to go next week.

    • Which Monday? Went down Petticote Lane again today. Still the best Street Market. Not really bothered about anywhere else now. The Lane was, still is and will always be the best. Wembley even in its’ prime could never hold a Candle to the East End market anyway. It was just a convenient and different place to visit. What might have been a reasonable alternative has been ruined by sheer incompetence and poor business decisions. No sympathy from me. R.I.P.

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