tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post3159105552115076827..comments2023-05-27T10:29:17.441+01:00Comments on Little's Log: The Great French Market DebateAntonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09165606568016036829noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-64789562070391198152008-10-19T19:38:00.000+01:002008-10-19T19:38:00.000+01:00As I was visiting the Norwich and Norfolk Food Fes...As I was visiting the Norwich and Norfolk Food Festival is a professional capacity I could understand the frustration with the double booking and how it detracted people from visiting the Forum and seeing the celebration of local producers.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure I buy into the notion that a French Market, like the one which we had in Norwich, truly adds as much multi-culturalism as it could have done. Lets not forget that its not a market from a town in France paying a visit but rather a company who spend their life touring the UK as a "French Market"! <BR/><BR/>People I've talked to in Norwich remember a few years back when the French Market visited one week and the Italian Market the next. The traders were the same people with slightly different bread and other wares!<BR/><BR/>We also need to keep in mind that traders on our own market are, I am told, paying twice the rent they used to (for half the space I was told although this could be an exaggeration) and this means they have to try that bit harder to make a living.<BR/><BR/>Remarkable how that market, only constructed a few years ago, was today undergoing further (extensive) repairs when I visited it for some "refined cheap flour stodge". I won't excuse my own Sunday morning desire for some bacon and egg in white bread but I will say that many of the traders on the Norwich market work long hours for seven days a week and still find it in their hearts to help support some of the Norwich homeless.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps what Norwich Market needs is it's own events and perhaps they do need to raise their game. I think they are doing well in the face of adversity.<BR/><BR/>Does a French market add to the rich cultural life of Norwich? Possibly once it did. These days I can easily buy a baguette or smoked garlic or a crepe so perhaps it's not necessary at a time when we should be watching our spending and carbon footprint?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6457473.post-62045751166454690262008-10-16T16:46:00.000+01:002008-10-16T16:46:00.000+01:00I agree, its more about a council balls up over we...I agree, its more about a council balls up over weeks than the wrongs or rights of a french market.<BR/><BR/>Personally I think the "planned" diversity and favour adds to the rich cultural life in Norwich, everyones a winner!<BR/><BR/>Perhaps it puts the burger and babb stalls in the market in the spotlight, that they have to raise their game, make a special name for tjemselves, not just rely on passing convenience custom and refined cheap flour stodge?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com