Chiswick’s first street food market claimed as “massive success” by organiser

Image above: Crowds of people at Sunday’s first street food market in Chiswick; photograph Jennifer Griffiths

Crowds of people turn out for Chiswick’s first street food market

Food St, Chiswick’s first street food market, has been claimed as a “massive success” by the organiser Richard Johnson after launching on Sunday (22 October).

The five-hour market in Old Market Place, outside the old police station on Chiswick High Road, showcased some of the best of west London’s street food traders, restaurateurs, retailers, growers and producers, including several who have bricks and mortar premises in Chiswick.

A diverse range of 15 street food traders joined the first market, from Mr Pig Stuff’s famous Dirty Mac to Joe and Chris’ Swedish ‘FIKA’ culture at The Mjolk Float, there was a wide choice of flavours available.

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Photographs below taken by Rosie Leyden, just as the Food St market had just opened

Indian spices, dumplings, tacos, galettes and hot dogs …

Bombayish brought Indian spices, while Hermanos Taco House served ‘timeless classics’. Ugly Dumpling lead the dumpling scene, and Potje Man offered Cape Malay delights. Amani Kitchen wowed with traditional and plant-based Arabic cuisine, and The Whistling Oyster from Devonshire Rd brought seafood and fizz to the mix.

Other Chiswick businesses there were Ma Ma Boutique Bakery, which provided gluten-free baked goods, and Mari Deli & Dining offered Italian specialities and charm.

Avila London had Venezuelan delights, Naakaa Foodiescorner served fusion dishes, Suya Boiz brought Big Naija Flava, and L’Amuse Bouche offered their speciality crepes and galettes with a twist. Oh My Dog Hot Dogs were popular too.

Richard told The Chiswick Calendar Sunday’s market was a “massive success” and that most traders had sold out, with visits from local celebrities like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jeremy Vine and Krishnan Guru-Murphy.

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Photographs by Andrea Carnivali

Restriction on number of pitches causes overcrowding

The market was quiet at the start but quickly became very busy, so one visitor told The Chiswick Calendar:

“It was too crowded. I don’t understand why it was all bunched up at one end when there was loads of space in the car park. It should have been more spread out, like the flower market. You couldn’t see where queues began and ended, so we just gave up and went and ate in George IV instead.”

Food St was approved in August by a LB Hounslow’s Licensing Panel, but on a reduced scale from what Richard Johnson originally requested because granting the licence was contentious. It was opposed by Cllr Joanna Biddolph because she thought it would take trade away from surrounding businesses and cause smell and mess.

The Panel granted the market to go ahead for a period of three months, with a reduced capacity of 20 pitches (62 were proposed), with opening hours from 11.00am until 4.00pm.

At the time, councillors said they “felt strongly that we wanted the market to have the opportunity to prove that it can be an asset to neighbouring businesses and residents as well as bringing vibrancy and choice to the High Road.”

The next two Food St markets will be on Sunday 26 November and Christmas Eve, 24 December.

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Photographs by Jennifer Griffiths

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