Chiswick Flower Market Attracts 60,000 Visitors in 2021

A range of new initiatives planned for the coming year

The next market is on the first Sunday in February. Picture: Anna Kunst

According to a report by the organisers, the Chiswick Flower Market attracted over 60,000 visitors last year and plans are being made to enhance the event further in 2022.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, only 8 markets could be held in 2021 as opposed to the planned 11. There were more than 60 different traders at the markets, with 65% of them locally based and 75% of them new businesses.

During the year the market experimented with street entertainment, with 17 acts including stilt-walkers, fire-eaters, jazz musicians, tap dances, school choirs and the local rock choir.

As part of efforts to minimise the environmental impact of the event, all plastic bags were banned, 150 deliveries were made by cargo bike and some of the surpluses were used to plant 570 shrubs and 2,000 bulbs around the market.

The organisers also published details of its finances which show that the Community Interest Company (CIC) which runs the market brought in revenue of £20,000 in 2021 with operating costs of £8,000. They say the surplus is being invested back in the local area including £3,500 which was used to replant the flower beds of Chiswick High Road.

As well as continued improvements to the public realm, some of this surplus will be invested in a larger marketing and PR budget and there are a number of other initiatives planned for 2022. These include plastic pot recycling and a move to increase the proportion of British-grown flowers sold. In addition, there will be a Queen’s Jubilee Market on the June bank holiday weekend

Up to 7,000 people have visited the market on a single day. Picture: Anna Kunst

One of the organisers Ollie Saunders said, “We always wanted to have a rich mix of different traders ranging from local start-up businesses to established and well-known traders including RHS Gold Winners Jacques Amand and Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, plus traders from other markets including Columbia Road. Around 75% of what is sold is grown or produced in the UK and we have worked with our traders to reduce the use of peat”

Kath Mitra added, “As the market gets into a financially stable footing, we will be able to invest more into the market and the local area based on need assessments – we invested in improving the planting around the High Road and have funding available for other ideas. We would welcome any suggestions on this.”

Karen Liebreich said “We have an exciting 2022 planned and will continue our close collaboration with businesses and the London Borough of Hounslow. Data from TfL’s cameras showed that footfall on a flower market Sunday in Chiswick High Road was 70% higher than a non-market Sunday. Our surveys also show that 54% of our visitors were from outside the immediate W4 area and 22% of all visitors had travelled more than 5kms to visit us. The market has developed its own vibe and we are excited and energised as we start our 2022 season.”

The next Chiswick Flower Market will be on Sunday 6 February and is held on the first Sunday of every month throughout the year except January.

This page is sponsored by Rocks Lane who support community initiatives in Chiswick.

January 22, 2022