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Beloved street market celebrates 20 years
A synchronised harmony of a trumpet, keyboard and drums floated through Whiteladies Road Market on Saturday, as people gathered to celebrate its 20th birthday.
Other than live music from Will and his band (willwb_keys), free slices of cake were distributed to visitors as the market’s management team shared news of the milestone.
For two decades, the market on the junction of Whiteladies Road & Apsled Road has been a beloved community event, which co-director, Angela Raffle, said has also inspired local shops in the area.
Angela Raffle is one of the directors of the Whiteladies Road Market
“We didn’t have so many independent shops, but they say the market increases their footfall,” said Angela. “So we’ve now got Scoopaway and Better Food. We’ve always had Wild Oats; they are fantastic, and now we have a new greengrocers.”
Angela was there when the first market was set up on June 22 2006. Back then the market started as a monthly event, which then changed to being held fortnightly. Soon the soaring popularity made it possible for the event to happen weekly on Saturday mornings.
“It’s almost like a community celebration every week.”
Owners of Old Sodbury Farm, Sarah and Andy Williams, were among those who traded at the first market in 2006
A few feet away from where Angela was speaking was the Old Sodbury Lamb stall, owned by husband-and-wife team Sarah and Andy Williams.
The couple were one of the few stallholders at the first market 20 years ago, who continued to be an integral part of it all these years later.
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Sarah said: “Andy came with just fresh lamb that day for the first market. He just brought a couple of cut-down meats which sold out very quickly, and he had to go out and get some more, because it was so popular.”
For Angela, one thing that has changed since the first market in 2006 is the traffic on Whiteladies Road.
“It’s slightly better,” she said. “There used to be no crossing; there was no residence parking. So, getting access for stallholders was really tricky. We used to have to come out the night before and put bollards.”
The weekly market has a range of recurring stalls, including frequent appearances by one of Bristol and the country’s best bakeries, Farro.
Moist, The Loaf Shack, Corner and Muti were some of the businesses trading on the 20th birthday of the market.
Market manager Simon Benett, who traded at the market for five years before joining the management team in 2024, said it was “remarkable” for a market to go on for so long.
“In my time, I’ve seen a lot of markets come and go,” he added. “Unfortunately, it’s quite a rare thing now.”
Simon continued: “We live in a more digital society – we order things online, we don’t shop like we used to. The market’s special, because it is not just a place you shop, but it’s a community as well. People come to socialise, they catch up with friends, chill out, have a good time.
“This market’s particularly special, because it’s holding onto a little piece of history. Like a time, where things were much nicer, more friendly, face-to-face.
“I think of it as a bastion, hanging on to a good time.”
All photos: Karen Johnson
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