Covent Garden Days
In 1981, Covent Garden was in the early days of its transformation into a prime location for shopping, eating and promenading. At its heart and the first stage of development was the Apple Market with 40 stunning wrought iron and wood stalls. Alongside, arcades of small shops housed high end specialist retail with select restaurants anchoring each corner of the site.
Initially operated by the G.L.C (Greater London Council), stalls in the Apple Market were allocated by a selection committee based on quality and originality with one day awarded per applicant and continuously vetted to ensure excellence. The designer makers were all top in their field of silversmiths, leatherworkers, ceramics, glass and textiles.
In the first few years, the Apple Market was frequented by lawyers, ballet dancers, opera singers and actors who all worked in the vicinity. Sales were slow but steady and gradually built by word of mouth on the place to go for the very best hand made in London. Each week brought new stories. Denis Waterman stopped by after a long lunch to buy presents for his fellow actors in a play opening nearby. I left him in charge whilst I went for some coffee and he almost bought my entire stock! Janet Leigh and her daughter, Jamie Leigh-Curtis, created a huge crowd when they choose several bags. Gene Wilder sent his chauffeur to buy more bags for his wife and made a special trip on Concorde one year to coincide with my market day. And then there was the charming Vincent Price with his lovely wife, Coral Brown….. a Weekend bag in Velvets….for Transylvanian journeys….ha, ha, ha.
Once the development surrounding the Royal Opera House was completed in 1983, Covent Garden’s fixture as one of the top places to visit in Capital was confirmed. Stall places were like gold dust with a long waiting list of applicants. Long days, till 8pm in summer, didn’t diminish the thrill and excitement of selling direct to an endless stream of global customers. This was the era before paying by card, before mobiles and way before the internet. Cash was king, in all currencies. Having sufficiently deep pockets to accommodate the takings determined the coat of the day.
Throughout the years, strong friendships were forged with fellow stall holders and the wonderful customers. Babies were born and brought to market days . Luckily, my eldest was born on a Thursday so I didn’t need to miss a week. After a long day selling, a few would sometimes head to a little French restaurant near Seven Dials and bask in a day well done and dusted and share our stories over a carafe of red and a delicious meal. Happy days.
However, after 8 wonderful years, it was time to move on, and up. Next was a showcase at The Savoy Hotel. But that’s another story.
Stall 28 - Tuesdays at The Apple Market - Covent Garden 1981-87
