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in: Walford, Businesses, Places

Bridge Street Market

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Bridge Street Market is a number of stalls located in Bridge Street and Turpin Road, the various stalls include Fruit & Veg, Records, Clothes and Flowers. In 1921, the Beale family acquired the fruit and veg stall.

In the 1980's, the Market Inspector was Mr J. Beecham (not seen, only mentioned on market regulations sign). In 1992, Joe Saunders appointed Richard Cole as the Market Inspector. Richard was replaced by Lesley McManus in 1994 and in 1996, Michael Rose took over the role. Lisa Shaw was his successor until she was replaced by Jack Brigstock (not seen, only mentioned on market regulations sign). A man named Vince appears as the Market Inspector between 2003 and 2003. Later in 2006, Marie Matthews was the Market Inspector for a while. In 2008, Bob Lister took over with the assistance of Tamwar Masood as Assistant Market Inspector. Mr Lister left in 2013, leaving Tamwar as the acting Market Inspector. Aleks Shirovs then took over in 2014 and Tamwar went back working alongside as the Assistant Market Inspector. Mr Lister is assumed to have reinstated his role of the Market Inspector as he was seen on 7 January 2020 introducing a new stall holder to the market. This is until December 2021 when he begins interviewing for a new Market Inspector. Stacey Slater gets the job, but quits shortly after and Honey Mitchell replaces her.

History

Prior to 1990, the traders used the old railway arch as an overnight storeroom for their stalls. This is until Phil and Grant Mitchell purchased the land and converted it into a vehicle repairing business. Jackie Stone, Chairman of the Bridge Street Market Traders Association, was asked to liaise with the two brothers, but found himself in an awkward position when he realised that he had been a friend of the Phil and Grant's late father, Eric; they boxed together and some traders believed that Jackie was showing favouritism to the Mitchell brothers.

In 1990, Walford Borough Council made plans to demolish the market and replace it with a shopping precinct. Jackie Stone, along with the other traders, petitioned and protested against it. The traders moved their stalls and built barriers to prevent workmen from gaining access with their diggers which resulted in Pete Beale's stall getting destroyed. The councilman in charge of the development, Stuart Kendle, attempted to bribe Pete and Jackie to drop their opposition. It later transpired that Kendle had previously tipped off his friend, Billy Turner, about the new development, so that he could purchase the surrounding properties for cheap and then sell them on when the prices rise. Billy Turner was an acquaintance of Phil and Grant Mitchell and had asked them to get the lease on Julie Cooper's hair salon for him, and says if they can get it for £7,000, then he'll give them £1,000. When the lease was acquired and the salon remained empty, Michelle Fowler suspected that the Mitchell brothers were involved as they both knew Kendle and Turner. Her and Kathy Beale confronted the brothers who denied any dodgy deals or affiliations with Kendle or Turner. Michelle and Kathy asked the brothers to help them find out exactly what's going on; otherwise, they will tell the traders that it was them who were both responsible for shutting down the market. Phil and Grant agreed to help and broke into Kendle's office at Walford Town Hall. They found evidence that proved he was corrupt; subsequently, saving the market.

In 2014, the future of the market looked uncertain as word spread that it could be closed down. The community came together and campaigned to save the market, even receiving coverage on BBC News. In April, it was announced that the council would merge Spring Lane Market with Bridge Street Market.

In January 2017, Walford Council was planning to move the market to the Old Flower Market on Tipton Street for the proposed rail links. Martin Fowler, a trader on the fruit & veg stall, wanted to lead a strike - but the other stallholders, not wanting to lose any money, refused to join in. The plan for a covered market was put on hold after a bus crash disaster which caused destruction on Bridge Street. The plans are unlikely to go ahead.

Traders/Stalls

Current

Fruit & Veg

(Note: The Fruit and Veg stall has been ran by the Beale's/Fowler's for 100 Years. Originally part of the Beale family enterprise, first owned by Lou Beale. Then Mark Fowler bought it from Ian Beale and David Wicks. Later Ian bought it back and ran it before passing it on to this son Peter Beale. Fatboy then ran it for Ian for a while.)

Clothes

Food

Other

Previous

Market Inspectors

Those appointed by Walford Council to supervise and enforce the market rules.

Current

Previous

Market Managers

The managers of the Market Inspectors.

Current

Previous

Street Sweepers

Previous

Gallery

Stalls

Current

Former Stalls


Other Pictures

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