Member Article

Wood Street Market – An eccentric shopping experience with a bit of a twist

Roll up, roll up; if you are looking for a unique shopping adventure then walk this way. Tucked away in the heart of Walthamstow is Wood Street Indoor Market. E17’s best kept - secret but not for long so you’d better snap up those vintage spoils quick.

Originally a cinema between 1912 to 1955, the market has been open for over 30 years with financial support in 2011 from the Mayors Outer London fund.

The market is an enchanting modification of an Aladdin’s cave. There is a eclectic mix of shops; some offering carpentry for second hand furniture, interesting antiques, selection of handmade jewellery, alternative and collectable hipster music, nail bars, a trendy café and shops with a heavy influence of retro and vintage clothing.

It’s encouraging to see that these individuals who run these shops are not afraid to take a risk to produce something out of nothing. Even with the UK current economic state of affairs the financial climate is still somewhat unpredictable and the future daunting. Government statistics show that the unemployment rate has only decreased by 0/1% and the number of people claiming Jobseeker’s allowance fell by 41.700 which has been the lowest fall since January 2009.

In this case these creative and budding individuals had an idea and put it into action by raising their game. This dynamic quirky hub has acted as a launching ground for small businesses, who started off their micro enterprise, nurturing it and then successfully expanding and moving to permanent premises.

Signs of development within the market are already prominent. I caught up with shop owner Galina Sherri, a 38 year old mother of two started up “Gigi’s Dressing Room”- the name that everyone knows her by. Her shop has an implausible range of retro and vintage goodies, unfortunately I have been sworn to secrecy about where she sources her spoils from. Gigi has many strings to her bow and offers a bespoke personal shopping experience from advising you on what to wear, how to apply make-up, to hiring outfits. Based at Wood Street market for two years, she has tailored to her customers’ need and tapped into what her regulars sought after. The demand increased resulting her to open a second and larger unit within the market.

Originally from Bulgaria, Gigi has always been interested in fashion, “anything to do with style and glistz” It’s refreshing to know that she didn’t take the conventional route by attending a fashion college. Whilst doing the school run she would always be complimented on how she dressed, which progressed to other mothers asking her for advice and tips. At the time Gigi was studying Psychology but her passion for fashion and styling took over and she embarked on her journey, as she believes, “you make your own destiny and I have recently come to realize the way I want to do my business is through the holistic way.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Irina Aggrey .