Forum Topic

All that glitters is not gold in Acton Market

I was very sad to learn that the stall holder (Stall No. 74) who was usually in the market on a Friday and Saturday is no longer allowed to trade there! She was such a lovely helpful lady who sells jewelry/watches/make-up and sometimes handbags but apparently she has now been advised that she is no longer welcome in Acton Market!Why on earth can that be I wonder? Surely we should encourage stall holders to sell their goods in Acton, I always noticed that her stall was quite busy, and I bought a few things from her myself.I remember a while ago that Acton Action even tried to remove the little Blue Cross stall from the market until people spoke up on their behalf.What do Forum Members think about this situation? Surely there is room for more traders in Acton or am I missing something here?

Jean F Fernandez ● 5296d16 Comments

Jean - I don't know if this is the reason, but I seem to remember reading on an earlier thread that she may have been selling 'silver' items that weren't.  If she is selling genuine silver and gold items she must, by law, have  details of assay marks and what they mean on display - I don't think this was in evidence.  If, however, she has been selling jewellery made from other metals, and has not been describing it as silver or gold, that is another matter.

Nina Battleday ● 5296d

I'd be surprised if it was a random matter - the market managers are really keen to have thriving stalls... but I suppose as its a council thing, they have to be wholly legit.Dunno what the problem was - maybe it can be resolved.

Sara Nathan ● 5296d

****Jean - I don't know if this is the reason, but I seem to remember reading on an earlier thread that she may have been selling 'silver' items that weren't.**** Nina, I think that thread refered to another jewellery seller.

Ellie Rose ● 5296d

With prices on her stall at rock bottom it would surely be obvious to anyone that the beads etc are not silver and gold.I got a little bracelet from her (the type that Pandora sells) but it was only £8 so I was in no doubt whatsoever about the fact that this was not silver!I think she was treated rather harshly but that is only my opinion. Maybe someone from Acton Action could explain further?We really should be encouraging stall holders to come to Acton because some days there are so few stalls that it hardly seems worth a visit.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5296d

I cannot understand why they have this attitude at the Market. They lost interest with the Farmers Market so that died a death and yesterday there were very few stalls there.I think there is a lot of apathy on behalf of  the Council as they cannot be bothered to advertise the market and to turn away a stall holder seems crazy when there are hardly any there at the weekend to start off with.

Tony Crumpton ● 5296d

Its very variable isnt - sometimes it seems heaving, others not soI dont think it was the council that drove away the farmers market. just not enough of us using it enough and spending enough. LondonFarmers Market are a pretty commercial operation and decided to move to West Ealing - leaving just a few stragglers.The problem is you need to be able to do a whole shop so once there isn't great fruit and veg or fish, it does tend to wither away.

Sara Nathan ● 5296d

Well as I mentioned in my earlier post, surely we and Acton Action should be doing everything in our power to keep the market going otherwise what is the point?It looks so sad with only a few stalls, I would be interested to know why certain stall holders are told they are not wanted in the market whilst others seem to be allowed to operate there. Surely there is room for more stalls?It is hardly worth while going to Acton Market if this is the result of some 'jobsworth' decisions. I thought that stall holder was very kind and helpful, didn't charge the earth, and she said she had made so many friends in Acton!She even took the trouble to restring a bracelet, come to Acton and meet me at Morrisons to give me the bracelet because she was not allowed to have her stall in Acton any more.Why are we driving such stall holders away???The old market in Crown Street used to have a very interesting mix of stalls and it was well supported. What we had once we could have again so long as Acton Action and the local people encourage the market to continue.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5296d

Jean,  did you ask her why she could not be a stall holder anymore? Perhaps there is a good reason perhaps not, but it does seem wierd and of course we do not have the full story.

Jen Morty ● 5296d

Yes I did ask why she was no longer welcome in Acton Market, it appears that she was told that there is a list which was issued by Eakubg Council stating what can and what cannot be sold in the market. She was NOT allowed to see this list and wonders whether one actually exists.They said she should not sell jewellery as there is another stall on the market doing this. But I believe the other stall is selling a different type of jewellery in any case.Then they told her that she was not allowed to sell make-up, which she had been doing from the start. Instead they apparently allowed another stall holder to sell make-up, so it seems as though her face did not fit somehow.This lady said she also went to the market one morning at 8am only to be told there was no stall for her, yet someone else arrived later and managed to get a place.I have no idea why one stall holder would be barred but it would appear that she was not treated very nicely. I know there are two sides to every story and it would be interesting to hear what Acton Action has to say on this matter.Perhaps after the way she was treated this stall holder may never want to return to Acton Market again and who could blame her? I would feel the same.Anyway I thought I would bring this to the attention of Forum Members because some of you may be wondering why the market has so few stall holders, perhaps we have some idea now?It seems such a shame to turn someone away who has been so nice to customers and who had made many friends in Acton.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5295d

Hmm, and yet the stallholder who sells fake Ralph Lauren, Nike, etc is allowed to continue.

Anne Brown ● 5293d

Still silence from Acton Action, it would be interesting to discover why they are turning stallholders away from our little market!At this rate it will surely dwindle to nothing!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5293d

Jean - it might be worth popping into their office and asking them what the problem was?I had another problem with jewellery - a different stallholder who restrung some beads for me, but then disappeared for over a year and hasn't been back since.  Despite Action Acton chasing her repeatedly, they have been unable to get the beads back for me.

Gill Hothersall ● 5293d

Well Gill I think instead of calling in on them I shall send them an email and ask them to follow this discussion, then they might like to give their side of the story.Right now I cannot fathom why on earth anyone would try to discourage stall holders who would like to come along to Acton Market. Surely we need MORE stall holders?The stall holder in question explained that she may not be back in Acton Market but took my home telephone number and arranged to meet me outside Morrisons where I collected the little restrung bracelet. All this trouble for a paltry sum of £8.00. Not many people would be bothered.I found this lady to be extremely courteous, helpful and honest and it is a shame that she will no longer be welcome by the people who run the Acton Market.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5293d

Still awaiting to hear the other side of the story from Acton Action but yesterday passing by on the bus I noticed that there was another stall selling jewellery and make-up.The stallholder I mentioned in this discussion was apparently refused permission to sell jewellery and perfume then told that she was not welcome in Acton Market.Strange!

Jean F Fernandez ● 5290d

From inquiries that I have made, they constantly flouted the rules, even after several warnings.  They were not permanent at the market, but, only casual.  Apparently a stall holder is only allowed to sell two products.  There is also mention that they were copying top selling products copied from other stall holders, this is against the rules.

Nicola Howard ● 5289d

I have now received a detailed explanation from Patrycja Nowak from Acton Action with regard to my query about the stall holder mentioned in this topic.It would appear that the stall holder was only in Acton Market on a casual basis and therefore not automatically entitled to a regular pitch.She also explained that stall holders have been advised to only sell 1 or 2 types of product on their stall in order that the market offers variety.I am satisfied with this explanation and I hope Acton Action will continue to do everything in their power to make Acton Market a place which will attract visitors to the area.It is a shame that the helpful lady will no longer be selling her wares in Acton but I am sure she will be successful wherever she goes.

Jean F Fernandez ● 5289d