I chatted with traders to find out what it's like to work in the Idlewells Indoor Market - and I liked what I saw
If you go down to the Idlewells Indoor Market then you may be in for a big surprise.
That is because the days of cramped shopping lanes, stinky seafood odours and a setting which has seen better days are long since gone.
The historic market, which is located inside Sutton’s Idlewells Shopping Centre, underwent a major £1.8m revamp with work completed in early 2018.
The result of the impressive - and much-needed refurb - is a shopping area fit for the modern era, with spruce-looking shop fronts, a spacious cafe area and a fresh and welcoming look.
But beneath those airy surroundings lay something far more important to shoppers and traders.
“It is a nice little community we have got here and a nice setting,” explained Stephen Larvin, who has run Larvin’s Larder in the market for six years.
“Everybody is friendly, we all talk to each other and get on together. Before I came it was a little bit different and everyone says the revamp is a vast improvement to what it was.”
Stephen knows a thing or two about what it takes to run a successful fruit and veg business having been involved in the family firm for a whopping 53 years.
“I have done this since I was 14 when I worked with my grandad and then my dad. When my dad died I carried it on and it’s the best job in the world,” he fondly revealed.
“It is a passion. I love it and wouldn’t have any other job. I wouldn’t want any other job.”
Tina, who has been trading as Tina’s Woolly Crafts for just over six years, is also a big lover of the community vibes, though she would like a few more locals to pop down and see what’s on offer.
“It is a really nice and clean-looking market now,” she added. “The people on the other stalls are really nice and helpful.
“It is very modern and really nice since they did it up. The customers are fantastic.
“It is busy some days, but not other days and it would be nice if a few more people came in to visit instead of shopping online.”
Alan Bakalarczyk, who has been trading at the market for 12 years through Alan’s Family Butchers, also likes what he now sees.
“It is better than what it was after the refit,” he said. “We get a lot of customers coming into town now from the likes of Mansfield, Ollerton and Alfreton.
“There is a really nice atmosphere here, we just need people to shop locally.”
The Indoor Market, which is open until 5pm Monday to Saturday, now offers a wide range of quality stalls, including a choice of two butchers, a bakery, a fish stall, cobbler, café, card shop and fruit and veg stall.