Businesses snap up stalls for North Harrow Street Market

 

Organised by Harrow Council and North Harrow traders, the three-day event is the latest in a programme of activity to revitalise the area and attract more shoppers to spend in local businesses.It is also a unique opportunity for local entrepreneurs to sell their products and market their businesses.

A huge range of products will be on sale including food, handmade jewellery, soap and candles, fashion, plants, baby products, art and more. Local community groups and schools will also lay on entertainment throughout the weekend.

Cllr Keith Ferry, portfolio holder for planning and economic development on Harrow Council, said:

“It is sure to be a fantastic weekend, creating a real buzz in North Harrow and raising the profile of the area.

“Attracting more shoppers will be good for existing traders and a great opportunity for dozens of Harrow entrepreneurs to sell their products.

“There has been huge demand and we already have a waiting list of stallholders, which is good news for North Harrow.”

The market is the latest instalment in a package of measures to support traders in the area and encourage more residents to shop locally. It is funded by the Council’s successful bid to the Mayor of London’s Outer London Fund.

The market will be open for business from 9.30am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

CASE STUDIES

Mahesh Nandha started Indian food company Bolly Bolly curry sauces in 2011 using a special Punjabi family recipe handed down through the generations to his wife Kam. The couple, from Elm Drive in North Harrow, juggle day jobs and raising two young children with running their fledgling food concern. Mahesh said:

“We first trialled selling our products at Hampton Court Festival and the sauce proved really popular. We set everything up to produce it at home but couldn’t keep up with demand, so we now have a manufacturer.

“We are selling masala sauces and dry mixes in around a dozen small retailers, as well as at markets and online, but our ambition is to get into the supermarkets.

“The street market is a great idea and if it attracts more people to North Harrow it will be good for the businesses there. Hopefully it will become a regular feature.”

Harrow cook Hazel Yates will bring a flavour of the Caribbean to North Harrow next month. Hazel’s Kitchen sells popular dishes including jerk chicken, curried goat and rice and peas. Hazel, who hails from St Kitts, hopes the market is another stepping stone to opening her own restaurant. She said:

“I think the street market is a wonderful idea and an opportunity for local businesses to let the community know who we are. If it’s successful I hope it continues as it will be good for North Harrow and bring more customers in.

“I’ve run my mobile catering business from home for six years, and have been cooking for over 16 years. It’s my passion and with a young family to look after it was the perfect way to start my own business.

“It started with christenings and weddings and now the dream is to open my own restaurant in Harrow.”

Husband and wife team Grant and Claire Millar run Cake Crumbs, producing homemade cakes. They will be selling a special North Harrow vanilla cupcake at the street market, along with a range of loaf and cupcakes.

Grant won an Absolute Radio ‘man bake’ competition last year judged by John Torode and Lisa Faulkner from Masterchef.

“Before winning the radio competition we were in the process of setting up our business and I heard about the street market through a colleague at work.

“I was a baker and patisserie chef before getting a job at Kodak in Harrow, where I’ve worked for the last 15 years. We always made cakes and desserts for dinner parties, friends and families and thought why not try and create a business.

“I think markets are making a real come back in the credit crunch and this will create a real buzz in North Harrow. I hope local residents come out and see what’s on offer.”

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