Stevenage Indoor Market has expanded its offer to customers by welcoming a new vintage furniture stall to its site off St George’s Way.
Situated behind the town centre shops, the market has not always been the first port of call – but it is packed with stalls selling a variety of different and often quirky goods which help it stand out from the crowd.
Run by Bronagh Hughes – who used to have a stall at the Vintage Barn in Knebworth which is now located at Farrowby Farm in Hinxworth – Vintage Corner specialises in furniture and household accessories in the popular vintage style.
Launched with a special discount day and party on Saturday, Bronagh says she hopes the stall will add to the variety already on offer at the market.
“It’s called Vintage Corner because I’m literally on the corner”, she told the Comet.
“I think younger people like vintage items because they are trendy and on point, and older people like them because they can recognise them from the first time around. A lot of people come to the stall and reminisce.”
The stall stocks everything from vintage furniture such as chests of drawers and dressers to accessories such as cushions and vintage mirrors, with prices ranging from a few pounds to £300.
Bronagh – who lives in Baldock, and has a son and partner who have been helping her with the business – says she gradually fell into the vintage trade.
“My mum used to call me ‘second-hand Annie’ because I loved going round charity shops looking for clothes,” she said.
“I used to do car boot sales and collect vintage items, and I was a regular visitor to the Vintage Barn at Knebworth. Sophie Clark, who ran it then, offered me a stall and that’s how it started. I ran it alongside office jobs for a while and then started full time.”
She says the market is a great opportunity for small businesses to set up and said people don’t always know about or appreciate the variety of goods there.
“It’s great in there, you can get fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, shoe repairs, hair cuts and window blinds,” said Bronagh.
“There’s such a great variety of things available and people don’t always realise what’s on offer. They just need to come in and take a look.”
David Henderson from the Stevenage Indoor Market Traders Association said with Stevenage Borough Council’s support they have been able to continue to promote the market, and have plans in the offing for a parking experiment. He added: “All markets need to encourage interesting and creative new business which then allows the public an opportunity to buy goods that are sadly not always available within our modern shopping malls or high streets.
“Stevenage Indoor Market has always created a balance between traditional market traders and a selection of goods to meet the consumers demands for a service that always places the customer first and offers a unique shopping experience.”
For more about the market see stevenageindoormarket.co.uk. You can also search ‘Vintage Corner’ on Facebook
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