Looking down on Father Christmas and the markets, in more senses than one... I have had some interesting messages on Twitter the past week or so which were quite negative about the Manchester city centre Christmas markets. I want to open the debate up so am mentioning them today.
On the plus side the Christmas Markets do provide opportunities for stalls for local crafts, and the traders that travel from all over Europe (Greece to Lapland) do sell some nice items. There is also (usually) a lovely atmosphere that seems more sincere than the soulless Arndale and Trafford Centres. From what I have seen (in Chorlton and Altrincham), the suburbs' festive markets are well attended too and packed full of local independent stall holders.
On the negative side of the city centre markets: "Unfortunately there are stalls selling Chinese goods, and is it really a good thing to entice so many people out of the suburbs?";
"Thousands of people in the city, largely spending with big businesses, high streets are dying. It's a MASSIVE problem for small businesses outside the city. They're selling bulbs and trees undercutting local garden centres - money flowing back to Europe. I know that they also promote local crafts people; that I do agree with, but stalls are soooo expensive";
and
"I agree. Manchester Xmas markets suck the suburbs dry of people from end of November onwards."
As someone who is into sustainability I deplore the tide of plastic disposable rubbish that anyone sells. But I think the suburbs first lost their heart, and trade, thanks to the 1980s Tory government who encouraged the American model of out-of-town shopping centres, where (generally) only well-off chain stores can afford to lease space. That, coupled with the insatiable rise of mega-sized supermarkets like Tesco, has caused many an independent to go under and a high street to lose out...
More support of independent and sustainable shops is surely what is needed?
Linked to the Ruby Tuesday blog.
As someone who is into sustainability I deplore the tide of plastic disposable rubbish that anyone sells. But I think the suburbs first lost their heart, and trade, thanks to the 1980s Tory government who encouraged the American model of out-of-town shopping centres, where (generally) only well-off chain stores can afford to lease space. That, coupled with the insatiable rise of mega-sized supermarkets like Tesco, has caused many an independent to go under and a high street to lose out...
More support of independent and sustainable shops is surely what is needed?
Linked to the Ruby Tuesday blog.
Great shot. We have the same argument here about markets. Mainly the shopkeepers complain about having to pay rates while markets pay none.
ReplyDeleteThe worst kind are the large underwear and vacuum sellers(yes a strange combination) who rent a hall for a few days, flog off their very cheap wares then move to the next town. At least most of the market sellers are local people.
There are always lots of positives and negatives around these kind of events. I wonder how the traders at the Markets have actually done this year, sales and profit wise. I would be surprised if they have matched, let alone surpassed, previous years takings. On a personal level, I love visiting them and will be going again this Friday. Great photo by the way, quite dizzying!
ReplyDeleteVery nice Chrissy. Love the shot.
ReplyDeleteI like the 'looking down on Santa' shot Chrissy..as far as the markets go, it seems that like in every situation there are good and bad points, hopefully more good. It's when unethical people make their move that the problems arise I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about your Christmas markets but I do know that big box stores like Walmart have literally destroyed thousands of our small towns!
ReplyDeleteNice perspective here. Wonder what Santa is thinking?
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ReplyDeletePeople aren't forced to visit the markets, they choose to go. Neither are they forced to go to out of town boxes, they choose to go to them as well. We are all nostalgic about the high streets but we pack the supermarkets and the Trafford Centre. How we shop has changed and high streets have to change to meet the new reality. Manchester has done this brilliantly with things like the Christmas Markets pulling people in from around the country who come to the city for them and then continue to spend in the bars, cafes, hotels, restaurants etc... Some suburbs are doing well like Chorlton, Didsbury and West Didsbury. These places have adapted to the new reality by changing to the needs of the local populations. They also have fiercely loyal people living in them who support local businesses. If we want our local centres to thrive we need to support them. The Christmas Markets are a good thing generating wealth, pulling visitors in and enhancing the city's reputation.
ReplyDeleteLove the shot - I wonder where you were to get above him - I've never liked the commercialisation of Christmas but it seems to me it's the manifestations that have changed over the last fifty years rather than the underlying compromises so I guess I go along with those who say there are good and bad aspects of it all.
ReplyDeleteLike the angle Chrissy, hope someone was hanging onto your ankles when you took this one! Visited an out of town shopping centre this week and there were no decorations, no tree, no lights, no indication in fact that it was Christmas. All very strange, an austerity Christmas I think. I enjoy the markets, you can choose where to spend your money, and cheap tat as well as decently priced crafted goods are available both in the markets and the suburban shops.
ReplyDeleteA great image.
ReplyDeleteNearly no Christmas market over here, let alone stalls. General strike on Wednesday. Can't wait for Christmas to arrive.
A very very original perspective, congratulations and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLovely shot. Wholeheartedly in support of more sustainable and independent shops - it's rarely a black & white issue, I suppose. I hope more good comes out of these Xmas markets than not.
ReplyDeleteHi there - nice set of pictures! I wonder when all this stuff goes during the rest of the year!
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