Reactions were divided among traders and shoppers following Hackney market’s new Sunday opening.
Ridley Road Market can now be visited on Sundays after Hackney Council approved round-the-clock trading at the venue. The Ridley Road Sunday Collective began operating on March 8, conducting business between 10am and 4pm.
The long-established market has operated since the late 1880s and accommodates over 100 stalls.
Ridley Road has long been woven into Dalston’s character, supplying local residents with budget-friendly products and international tastes.
The fresh weekday features an ever-changing roster of independent merchants, craftspeople and culinary enterprises offering diverse merchandise, sustenance and handcrafted items such as organic beauty products and fragrance oils, alongside volumes, garments, fabrics and pottery.
The venue also showcases numerous food vendors providing international dishes spanning Thai, Jamaican, Turkish and Italian cuisine.
Locals and entrepreneurs were consulted regarding the council’s decision.
Mohamed Afzali, a 51-year-old shop manager, expressed approval. He noted the change would attract clientele from various areas and bring additional market activity, creating a livelier atmosphere beneficial to Hackney. He anticipated different varieties of pitches, particularly more fast food and catering options, and expected earnings to increase.
Fishmonger Mark Watkins, aged 60, disagreed. He stated his opposition, noting barriers would be erected at the entrance on Sundays. He felt this arrangement was inequitable as his enterprise was losing trade. Previously free Sunday parking had been eliminated, and despite raising objections with the council and communicating their worries, officials remained unresponsive.
Retail worker Jonathan, 19, occasionally shops at the venue. He regarded the concept as not unfavourable and beneficial for the neighbourhood economy. However, he observed the site required improvement and tidying. While sympathising with inhabitants who preferred peaceful Sundays free from disturbance, he believed adherence to rigid operating schedules should prevent complications.
Hackney Council issued a statement describing the development as constructive.
Cllr Fajana-Thomas OBE, portfolio holder for community safety and regulatory services, commented that Ridley Road ranks among the borough’s most significant and unique markets, forming an essential component of Dalston’s character. The Sunday Collective represented an exciting innovation, granting additional residents and visitors opportunities to discover the inventiveness, variety and commercial dynamism defining Ridley Road. It simultaneously offered merchants and small enterprises a worthwhile venue, reinforcing the local economy and ensuring this historic market’s continued success.