A NEW STALL IN TOWN

I arrived early at the market for 'set up' having never run a stall at any market, let alone with my own product at Portobello market, one of the most iconic and historic markets in the world. A history spanning 300 years , when it was based on a little know country track called Green Lane in the area near to Porto Bello farm , which was named after Porto Bello in Panama, captured by the British from the Spanish in 1739. It wasn't until 1940 that the market developed from selling food to various products such as house hold items, bric a bra, antiques and clothes.

Now known the world over and a tourism 'must see'. I felt like I was being offered and opportunity to do something that you might see on someones bucket list. I chatted with a couple of the neighbouring stall owners as we all "set up'. They told me they had been there 10 years or more. "Don't expect to sell anything" they said."Its quiet this time of year"

I was interested in seeing if others would be interested in West Chelsea Market, what peoples reactions would be and most of all the customer base, my target audience. Starting any brand in any field, the most import thing is to know who your customer is. Knowing who they are over the internet is tough, but meeting a living breathing person is both insightful and informative. Things I definitely need to do is add size S and introduce photos of men wearing the joggers to the website. 

I have to say thank you to the busker who made up a song called 'West Chelsea Market'. I wish I had recorded it, I didn't photograph him either. He'd missed turning up for his 3rd day at work and his manager had told him not to bother going in. Hence busking for the day. All these different personalities in one place make for a unique atmosphere. One you need time to become part off. But what I did notice was most people seemed happy, which perhaps reflects the need for humans to engage in person something that until very recently has been a matter of course.