East Street Market - Coursework Example

East Street Market Roll No: East Street Market Introduction Every place has its own importance and no one can deny this fact. There is no doubt that modernism has facilitated us with many new categories of market places such as superstores, credit card shopping, shopping malls and much more as told by Watson (2006). However, in the presence of all these new categories, the significance of street markets cannot be negated. As a customer, I feel that all the new ways of shopping are quite flexible and supportive but the old ways are still interesting and attractive. To go to a street market for shopping of products according to one’s own needs and requirements is a job that is fascinating in its own place. This paper contains a detailed description of East Street Market that is located at East Street, Walworth, London. Activities Taking Place in East Street Market After paying a visit to the East Street Market, I want to go to that market every weekend for some shopping for the home or to accompany someone in shopping. While entering the market, a board welcomes the entrants of the market. On Sundays, the market is overcrowded as many stalls of different products are installed for customers living in or visiting London. This market is not only a place for purchasing products but also plays its role as a source of entertainment. While visiting the market, many activities can be noticed which are selling of clothing, perfumes, cosmetics, food items, vegetables, fruits, shoes, bags, jewellery items, computer items such as CDs and DVDs and much more. It can be said that the market is a place where one can buy all the products that are required on day-to-day basis. On Sundays, stalls are there with different selling items, the sellers are busy in selling their products, and they have their own rates for the commodities, which are quite affordable. The market remains closed on Mondays while on other weekdays, it can be visited for purchasing of items. The market opens at 8 a.m. in the morning and closes at 5 p.m. on weekdays and on Sunday, it closes at 2 p.m. The rush of buyers can be seen on the street during the market hours. People are busy in getting the products that they require and paying their prices. The sellers can be seen counting the total money and giving back any remaining money that they have to pay back. The street looks very colourful and vibrant when people are busy in shopping here. People of all ages can be found here. Men and women visit the market along with their children for buying fruit, vegetables, grocery items, clothes, shoes, cosmetics and so on. Sunday appears to be mostly crowded because of presence of more stalls and customers, as people have more free time for shopping. People are able to meet each other there, as markets are places for social communication as Watson (2006) says that markets are social places where people can interact with one another. Therefore, people also meet there intentionally or unintentionally. Not only the sellers and buyers can be seen at the East Street Market but also the cleaners can be seen. Sometimes, police officers also visit the market area to ensure that everything is done according to law. They keep an eye on thieves and lawbreakers. The activities of buying, selling, cleaning, law maintaining, interacting with different people and many others take place in the East Street Market. Evidence of Activities The evidence of activities taking place in East Street Market can be gathered by noticing the market with one’s own eyes. As it is a market place, therefore, the presence of sellers and buyers cannot be negated as who else can be found in such places. As sellers are there for selling the items that, they have; therefore, they can be seen busy in selling their items such as clothes, perfumes, grocery, fruits and vegetables, computer accessories and much more. People visit this market as the rates here for different products are quite affordable. They can check the products and ask for substitutes. The police officers are also busy in looking for any illegal activities. Social places are considered as ‘vibrant social arena’ where people can assemble for their day-to-day activities and markets also form a major part of social places (Dines and Cattell, 2006). Many activities take place in streets and markets such as (Jones, Roberts and Morris, 2007) inform that street activities range from ‘street workers at stalls or selling pirate DVDs, to people chatting, resting or waiting for others’. Therefore, it is quite clear that many activities take place in East Street Market. Different Actors The different actors seen at East Street Market are the sellers of different items, buyers visiting the market, police officers maintaining law and order, street workers, people from different cultures coming for buying as well as social interaction purposes and children coming with their parents. Social Groups Missing from East Street Market While visiting the market, the social groups visiting the market were locals to the area of South London, immigrants from Africa as many African products are sold here, people from middle and lower classes as the prices are affordable for these classes and people of nearby communities. The social groups that do not visit East Street Market are the upper classes, as they prefer other markets for shopping purposes. Old as well as young people visit the market. East Street Market is Vibrant The East Street Market is a vibrant market as many colours can be seen there. It is regarded as the oldest market of the place and is still considered valuable by the locals of the area. Many products and items that are used on daily basis are available here and they are of manageable cost due to which, people are always ready to visit it. As many products are sold here, that is why people in need of different items can visit the market. Sundays make the market more attractive as more than two hundred and fifty stalls are installed there selling different items. People visiting the market on continuous basis make the market a vibrant spot. Markets work as a social space because they allow social interactions and society development (Watson, 2006). East Street Market also provides a social space for social interactions due to which, it is still alive and attractive. Impact on Residents of the Locality of East Street Market The lives of local residents who live near the East Street Market is affected because of the market. Because of the presence of market, they have a closer spot for shopping due to which, they do not have to travel to faraway places for shopping. They just have to walk in the market. The problems that they face because of presence of a market is that there is noise and crowd of people going here and there due to which, some discomfort can be felt. However, there are also people who like the hustle and bustle that they see in the market. The sellers are also friendly with the residents of the locality. East Street Market’s Contribution to the Social Life of Community The community of East Street Market is formed by means of the residents of the area as well as the sellers placing their stalls in the market. The social life of the community is attached to the social life of the market. Whatever happens in the market contributes to the social life of its community. Many people from multiple cultures visit the market for buying products due to which, social interactions are there. It can be said that the market as a whole works as a social space for different people coming to the market for selling, buying or working jobs. The community’s social life is affected because of the market, as they have to look towards the matters of the market. The sellers and the workers of the street need to be trustworthy for the community. The market workers have to take part in community activities, as they are a part of the community. Conclusion East Street Market is a public spot where people gather for different activities such as selling of products, buying products, law maintenance, work, social interaction and entertainment. The market is visited by local community as well as outsiders. The concept that new ways of modernism and shopping have reduced the value of old ways is quite wrong, as East Street Market is quite old and is equally important in the lives of people as any other means of shopping. The place is an attractive and interesting space for the people coming to the market. The market is pretty vivacious and vibrant, as people like to visit the market for their day-to-day shopping needs. References Dines, N and Cattell, V. (2006). Public spaces, social relations and well-being. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York. Jones, P, Roberts, M and Morris, L. (2007). The contribution of local high streets to sustainable communities. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York. Watson, S. (2006). Markets as social spaces. Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York. Read More