Croydon's newest indoor market attracts big crowds (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon's newest indoor market attracts big crowds

11:30am Friday 5th February 2010

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Croydon’s newest indoor market is open for business and experienced a very busy first weekend.

“Stuff” is the brain child of Beanos entrepreneur David Lashmar who claims there is nothing like his unique design in the whole of the UK.

Since his famous second-hand record shop closed down in July after 33 years of trading, Mr Lashmar has been converting the building in Middle Street into an indoor market.

The quirky design includes fully-enclosed units on the bottom floor which are all very different, one resembles a provincial French cottage and another a beach hut.

He has been signing up traders for his market stalls and also promoting Stuff through a guerrilla marketing campaign.

Postcards of Croydon landmarks with Stuff Croydon written on them surreptitiously appeared in pubs and other venues across the borough before the new market opened.

Mr Lashmar said: “We opened on Friday and it was meant to be a lead-in day to Saturday but we were absolutely packed.

“The traders were all there champing at the bit, ready to go. Saturday was less full but the atmosphere here is amazing and we were very busy on Sunday.”

Mr Lashmar was determined to offer customers unique goods they could not easily get anywhere else and also help new businesses.

Shoppers visiting Stuff can treat themselves to a variety of hand-made goods like chocolates, novelty sweets and cakes. There is also an aromatherapy stall, handmade baby clothes, kaleidoscopes and novelty dog accessories as well as a florist, hat maker and an African Arts centre.

Mr Lashmar said: “The reaction we are getting has been amazing and I have already had queries about more stalls.

“For a lot of our traders, it’s their first business and I am keen to help them out. A lot of big businesses are going bust but its a good time for the small trader.”

If you are interested in hiring a stall, contact david.lashmar@gmail.com or call Tim (daytime only) on 07769 675839.

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