Quick look busy! - Merton Council

MY HISTORY • FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009
myhistory
Markets
in Merton
As part of the council’s drive to regenerate Mitcham the market has changed
location. My Merton takes a look at the borough’s market history.
Next time you return home, tired
and weary from doing your weekly
shopping, spare a thought for those
who lived in Merton centuries ago.
Back then regulations meant no new markets
could be built within a seven mile radius of
existing ones. That meant that for Merton locals
Kingston and Croydon were the nearest – some
distance even with today’s modern transport.
There are no existing records which trace
back to when Merton first had a market,
although it is thought a few small stalls did
operate on Mitcham Fair Green. A market
operates in the same vicinity today having
been re-launched as part of the council’s drive
to regenerate Mitcham and put residents first.
Much of Merton’s market history is more
based around the location of today’s popular
14
Merton Abbey Mills, near Colliers Wood.
Previously the location of work shops for both
William Morris and Liberty, the site was an
industry hub with the River Wandle providing
a much needed power source to turn the
waterwheels which would drive the printing
presses. The original waterwheel can still be
seen to this day, and operates on market days,
Saturdays and Sundays. When the power source
for industry changed to steam and electricity,
the need for water power diminished and the
workshops moved. Left empty for many years,
and with the original building still intact, the site
was sold on by the council to Sainsbury’s in the
1980s with the understanding that significant
funding would be given to restore the site and
provide a facility that the community could use.
Merton Abbey Mills was born.
Make your way to
Mitcham Market
Mitcham market has started 2009 with a
fresh new look. With stalls previously
dotted around the town, the council has
now brought all the market traders together
to sell their wares in the new Market Square,
next to the clock tower.
Open from 8.30am until 5pm Monday to
Saturday, the market is easily accessible by
public transport, especially now Eastfields
station is open. It sells a diverse range of
goods including music, men’s, ladies and
children’s wear, rugs, fruit and vegetables,
household, leather and electrical goods,
mobile phone accessories, pet supplies,
shoes, toys, confectionery and even
occasionally fish.
New stalls to look out for in 2009 include
Caribbean food, baby clothes and jewellery.
Find out more
If you would like more information about the market
please contact the Market Inspector on 020 8545 4018.
For more information
about Merton’s history
visit our website
www.merton.gov.uk/history istory