Healthy choice for Islington’s Market Trader of the Year 2017

***Please click on the thumbnails above to download high resolution images***

Serving up a healthy portion of our five-a-day has bagged two Islington traders the coveted title of Market Trader of the Year 2017.

Street food trader Serpil Erce, who serves up healthy salads from her stall Sunny Olive Tree at Whitecross Street Market, and fruit and veg seller Dave Jackson, based at Chapel Market, were both chosen by public vote.

Serpil won the take-away food category and Dave won in the general market goods category. They were presented with their prize - £150 off their ground rent – by Islington celebrity Sue Pollard at the Chapel Market Christmas light switch-on event on Saturday 18 November.

A total of 256 votes were cast since the competition was launched in May, with shoppers, residents and visitors across the borough voting for their favourite street traders.

Annie Denny, who nominated Serpil, said it was because of her “service with a smile, and healthy food that gets us to eat our five-a-day!” Rob Walters nominated Dave because of his “lovely fresh veg and fruit. A nice guy who is pleasant and always cheerful.” Both shoppers will receive £50 to spend at their chosen trader’s stall.

Cllr Asima Shaikh, Islington Council’s executive member for economic development, said: “Congratulations to Serpil and Dave, who both deserve to be recognised for their service and quality produce that they sell.

“It’s fantastic to see so many residents and visitors across Islington get behind our competition by voting for their favourite street trader. It just goes to prove that Islington’s markets are treasured by many people and are great places to visit and shop.”

The Market Trader of the Year 2017 competition was open to all traders directly licensed by Islington Council at the four council-run markets – Camden Passage, Chapel Market, Exmouth Market and Whitecross Street.

Highly commended by the judges were Stephane Barette who runs Whitecross Coffee at Whitecross Street and Jeffrey Heller who has a clothes stall at Chapel Market.

Residents who nominated Stephane said she served “fabulous coffee served with a smile. Just the way to start your day. Highly recommended” and “outstanding customer Service. Quality product. Reasonable prices and a personal touch.”

One of Jeffery’s shoppers said he was “one of the nicest people I have ever met. I have been buying from him and his father for many years. Lovely person, friendly warm man and wonderful personality. He deserves to be chosen,” while another said he “sells beautiful pieces and always says hello as I pass. It’s great to have a friendly face as you enter the market.”