With
two very worthwhile projects under the QVM belt, (completing String Bean Alley
and transforming Queen St.), maybe it is time for the next big thing - curating
the Upper Market.
In
June 2017 we published an article “Is It Time We Curated Our Market?” and 2
years later all that has really changed is the frustration of traders as gaps
grow and our look deteriorates. Every trader has been quizzed by customers on
the look of the market, but what really hurts is when experienced outside
retailers ask “What is going on here?” The look of our market is a serious
issue.
Of
course it is not just the gaps around our market, but the exposing of
infrastructure like storage boxes and racking that were never really intended
for public display. The backside of our market is usually not very pretty.
Fixing
the gaps is no easy matter. We already have a shifting trader population and
short term absences only have to be notified the day before. It is difficult to
plan for those. There are many uncertainties and maybe there will need to be
more predictability if gaps are to be avoided. Or, as one trader suggested,
just make the trading area smaller, rope off unused areas, and let the laws of
supply and demand create the fully populated market.
Many
traders believe that the look of our market is unacceptable on too many trading
days. We suspect that the climate is ripe for considering all options for improving our public face. It
will require significant effort, resources, and co-operation but somehow the gaps need to be
fixed, and quickly.
