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Feature: Jenny Coggins
BORN out of the flames of the Great Fire of London in 1666, Spitalfields
Market has become a hot place to shop.
And there's no chance of this fire being dampened: completely
undercover, Spitalfields is rainy day friendly.
Within spitting distance (get it?!) of the centre of London,
Spitalfields is just off Commercial Road, a few minutes walk from
Liverpool Street…
As with all markets, Sunday is the best day to visit. It holds
the most stalls, with 250 crammed in to the power of the 25,000
people that visit every week.
Sunday also has a brilliant atmosphere, with the buzz in the
air that a brilliant find is just around the corner.
Sundays at Spitalfields offer mainly clothes. A real specialist
of the market is the second-hand attire that can be picked up
here.
Unlike in charity shops, where many an hour is wasted hunting
through bric-a-brac and unwanted M and S nighties, you won't have
to rummage for the good stuff here.
Someone has gone to the trouble of doing that for you. There's
antique cardies through to 70s flares.
However, as with pretty much all vintage clothing, the number
of years it's been knocking about is matched by its priced.
Be careful what you fall in love with here, as you could end
up with an original buy, but a bank balance of zilch. All the
new goods on sale are worth a look, too, often capturing the same
individuality as the vintage stuff.
House-hold items are farer and fewer between than the clothes,
but you can still find quilts and candles.
And no trip is complete to the market without a visit to smell
the incense: check out the massive selection on the stall opposite
the entrance as you venture in.
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Other Highlights
House of Bohemia is just as you walk in, and is a little
shed of retro furniture goodies, from huge 70s fabric lamps to
sixties shimmering door hangings. You may well be tempted to move
in…
Early Bird is another in-market shop which sells great
fridge magnets, cards and for a trip down childhood lane check
out their Top Trumps selection.
Chapeau Claudette is Claudette Outland's stall, helping
to keep heads screwed on everywhere with funky head wear. Becoming
something of a celebrity herself, Claudette's designs are being
picked up in the major women's magazines. She's on hand on Sunday's
to help pick a style that suits you face shape best.
If all that shopping leaves you hungry, at the middle back is
the International Food Village. You can choose from Thai,
to crepes, to pasta, and there is also a large seating area so
you should be able to sit and eat.
24/7
If you'd rather stay in bed on a Sunday: shame on you! But there
are alternative days to visit.
Thursday is the fashion market, which hosts young fashion designers
of the future. You can get great cutting edge clothes and as most
people are at work it is much quieter than a Sunday.
On the last Wednesday of every month, is the record and bookfair,
selling great collectables and bargains.
Basics:
Opening Times are: Monday to Friday 10:30am -4:30pm, Sunday 10am-5pm
There are also some loos in the middle of the market if nature
calls.
The market has wheelchair access.
If you want to ring before visiting call: 020 7377 1496.
Getting there: The nearest Tube is Liverpool Street, and
local buses are 8, 24, 149 and 67.
Refunds: These are at the discretion of the stall holder,
so check before you buy or else there'll be tears…
Room for Improvement:
While I couldn't find much to fault, some feel there are things
to change.
Owners, Ballymore, have proposed to build glass bricks for permanent
shop and restaurant units, drastically reducing stall space.
Have your say and sign the petition to save Spitalfields at the
website: www.spitalfieldsmarketstalls.co.uk
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