There’s nothing fair about this fair trade
Wednesday 9th December 2009, 2:58PM GMT.
From Tony Nightingale, Colomberie Traders Association.
ON behalf of traders in Colomberie, I write to show our astonishment that yet again traders from outside the Island are invited to set up and sell their wares in a peak period, and in a prime location at the Weighbridge, with free advertising promoting their arrival, trading dates and location.
Local traders have enough competition these days with the internet, without inviting others in at cherry-picked prime times to provide yet more.
The income and profit of these French traders will be taken out of the Island and probably spent in France, whereas local retailers would likely spend their profits here, that is after rent, rates, social security, etc, etc, – contributions that these traders will not make to the system.
Colomberie, and no doubt other ‘secondary’ locations in town, get no promotion or such like, apart from banners telling everyone to Think Twice, Buy Local. We have a precinct area in Colomberie that is never used for any promotions or entertainment to enhance the area and if many more empty retail units appear, we might as well close for business and wait for the opportunity to trade at these fairs ourselves.
As to this event being organised by Jersey Tourism, we feel that they should focus their energies on increasing the visitor population, as we see another downturn in tourist numbers again this past season.
We never thought we would say this but the authorities might as well put the road back through the precinct area to link upper and lower Colomberie, as it was 20 years ago, as local drivers would then see what is on offer here as they drive through.
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While I sympathise with Mr Nightingale and his neighbours, may I ask what has happened to freedom of choice for consumers?
Or must we all be forced to buy what local traders may have to offer?
If the Colomberie shop keepers want to survive they must be competitive and offer customers goods at fair prices.
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Tony Nightingale should read Helier Clement’s most recent article. The title is “Competition controllers come at a high price to all”, and it appeared in this paper on 7 December 2009.
He might change his tune then.
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Back in the 1960′s and 70′s, Colomberie was a thriving street with loads of tourists and a tolerant view of illegal parking.
Now look at it – Mostly boarded up, paved over and virtually no parking.
Sorry, by the anti car brigade are killing town – Bath Street is starting to go the same way. It’s only King and Queen Street that can survive as pedestrian precincts. All other roads, where possible should provide as much street parking as possible.
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@ Albert Salmon #1
“…may I ask what has happened to freedom of choice for consumers?…”
I’m all for freedom of choice, but I agree with the correspondent; these seasonal markets brought in from outside the island to trade directly against local retailers are not fair.
*If* the consumer wants choice then I’m sure he’ll be willing to pay for it: these markets can be funded by themselves, they shouldn’t be getting funding from the taxpayer via Tourism.
As a consumer I want the luxury of choice, as a taxpayer I want to pay for public services, not luxuries.
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You are on to something there Warren J #3. I had never though about this, but it makes complete sense.
I often do not bother to go into town or opt for an easier option because of the parking situation.
All you want to do is drop something off or pick something up. But you have to queue at one of the multi-stories, follow someone else up 5 floors at a snail’s pace, finally find a empty parking spot and realise you don’t have any-more parking cards!!!! It’s all just too much effort and leads to premature hair loss coupled with high blood pressure.
It is so much easier to sit at home and use the internet for one’s shopping or go elsewhere with easier parking.
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no 1 don’t disagree with competion but when it is subsidised & promoted by the “Government” from which we don’t get any help and are not asking for it,just a level playing field.The reason we trade here is with lower rents we can be competetive with our prices but would be nice to have some free advertising to promote them.
In fact one trader tried to trade at a market in France a couple of years ago & had so many obstacles put in his way gave up on the idea.
When more shops such as the bakers close down it would be interesting to see if you could wait until the “markets” arrived before your next shopping expedition.
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It is very refreshing to see that the originator of this thread, Mr Tony Nightingale, has taken the trouble to respond to some of the comments raised in his letter.
I take his point about the street markets: while they are something of a novelty, I would agree that the goods offered for sale are often not competitively priced.
But I do think that – whether we like it or not – the days of the small sole trader are sadly numbered. I say this because I was raised on the proceeds of my father’s business. He no longer lives in Jersey, but when he visits he is always astonished to see shops like Hamon’s, or the Red Triangle shop still open and trading.
However, like so many other islanders these days I vote with my purse and with my feet.
Why should I tramp up and down the streets of St Helier, being soaked by the rain, when I can shop at the big Co-op supermarket?
I can nearly always find a space to park my car (I have had only one occasion in four years when I could not) for free. No need for those iniquitous parking cards, or the possibility of not finding space to park at all.
Once inside the supermarket, I can easily find and buy all I need in the way of consumable items. The staff is polite and pleasant, and no one will give me dirty looks if I decide not to purchase.
I sympathise with Mr Nightingale and his neighbours, but – for better or for worse – this is “progress”.
One can only hope that all Jersey traders have a good Christmas and a prosperous 2010.
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@ Albert Salmon #7
“…Why should I tramp up and down the streets of St Helier, being soaked by the rain, when I can shop at the big Co-op supermarket?…”
While I sympathise with Albert Salmon and his and his fellow consumers, may I ask what will happen to freedom of choice for consumers?
Or must we all be forced to buy what one or two supermarket operators may have to offer?
The supermarkets will sell me a bike, but they can’t offer the professional service of somewhere like Boudin’s or Lawrence De Gruchy’s.
Ultimately I agree that the market will/should decide the fate of independent retailers like these(and probably to the detriment of consumers seeking quality and value over absolutely the cheapest price), but when the States step in and help destroy the supermarkets competition locally with these markets, and by restricting access/parking in town, then it’s not being left to the market.
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