Women traders to host Well Street Market’s first showing of 2018

Addressing equality: a trader helps out a customer at Well Street Market. Photograph: Hackney Council

An all-female roster of traders will take charge of Well Street Market next weekend (3 March) in a celebration of International Women’s Day.

The entrepreneurs will relaunch the historic street market for its first trading session of the new year – set to feature clothing and food stalls, crafts and live music.

Hackney residents are encouraged to turn out and support the local women running businesses in the community, as well as to inspire a new wave of female entrepreneurs.

One such businesswoman is Jo Price, owner of the A G Price florist in Well Street, which has been a local family-run outfit for over 60 years.

Speaking of the upcoming market takeover, she said: “Events like this are key to helping the next generation of young women to see that it’s possible to set up and become a local female-led business.”

Alison Dunn, who runs the 1950s-themed Jiggery Pokery Ice Cream Parlour in the market, echoed that sentiment.

She said: “It is important for young women to realise that we live in a world full of opportunity, especially here in Britain in 2018.

“We have to celebrate women entrepreneurs because far too many women believe they are not capable of taking control of their own destiny.”

The event is backed by Hackney Council, which is supporting a number of other projects throughout the borough to mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the UK.

Cllr Carole Williams

Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Equalities, said: “Well Street is London’s most innovative market, and it is exciting that the Traders Alliance is at the forefront of encouraging more young women into thinking about business ownership, and celebrating the local female entrepreneurs that already contribute massively to the local economy and their local communities.

“I would encourage all residents to come along, shop local, get involved and help celebrate Hackney’s women.”

Well Street Market reopened in 2016 to much fanfare after a successful crowdfunding campaign to revive the site, but the Well Street Traders and Residents’ Association – the group which led that campaign – has recently disbanded.

The market will be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 3 March.

For more information, please visit the market’s website here