The Market that works for you!

Village Market LogoAs part of the successful Groupe Geraud group, the Market Village Company offer the individuality of the outdoor market arena in an ‘indoor’ environment. Market Village have successfully operated their indoor style markets across the UK for over 30 years and have been jointly associated under the successful arm of Groupe Geraud for over 11 years. Market Village in Washington, Tyne and Wear, is located within the Galleries Shopping Centre, with direct public access into the Galleries, two external elevations with three sets of entrance doors facing the Galleries and large FREE public car parking areas. The market is ideally located being one of the first retailers that the public view when visiting the Galleries Shopping Centre. Not only do they benefit from the ample FREE car parking but also have a taxi rank and bus station directly outside of the main entrance.

Washington Market, and the Galleries, also has great transport links with the main A1 and A19 motorways close by, excellent and frequent public transport routes to the nearby housing estates, surrounding villages and the larger cities, Newcastle and Sunderland. The Galleries Shopping Centre is a major hub for the surrounding densely populated residential areas giving the shopping centre more of a community feel. Local residents use the Galleries as their main resource for shopping and lifestyle purchases, which clearly benefits the Market Village. The shopping centre has the usual tenants such as Argos, H&M, Sainsbury’s, Asda, but also contains the main post office, estate agents, solicitors, banks, housing and benefits offices and leisure centre. All of this gives the Market Village an ideal customer base and gives a constant footfall within the market where customers can take advantage of their strap line ‘for life’s essentials’, The market is approximately 30,000 sq ft, with a total of 118 potential trading units. It is home to over 50 traders and a current 98% occupancy level, with an average footfall of 50,000 per week.

Washington Market 1The market has always been successful at Washington, however since the appointment of the new Managing Director and the company returning to its core values of promoting new business opportunities they have been able to maintain their occupancy levels at this all time high. Washington Market Village prides itself on the diverse mix of traders and the extremely low turnover rate, with many traders having been there for over ten years. Although trader type exclusivity is not offered, the market uses common sense in their approach to lettings in order to protect and compliment established traders businesses. Commodities that are currently offered at the market include; fruit and veg, butchers, bakers, optician, financial services, ladies and gents fashions (young and old), PC repairs/accessories, nail bar, tattooist, barbers, hairdressers, luggage, antiques, jewellers, printers, cobblers, army supplies, clothing alterations, wool shop, household goods, florist, discount foods, and many many more. As well as numerous hot and cold food outlets all of who successfully benefit from the constant footfall.

Anyone who is interested in having a unit at the market is encouraged to visit the market and meet with the markets team. They will show you round the market and also show you the different sizes of units available and discuss ideas with you. Anyone new to the market are given the option to take a unit for a minimum of 4 weeks, once this period is over you will have the choice of signing up to a 3 month, 6 month or 12 month license, depending which one suits your business best. Since the recent changes within the higher management at Washington Market they are getting back to their core aims to offer easy-in, all inclusive and transparent rent deals. These offers are to established traders and those new traders who have a business idea they want to try out without the long tie in of a lease and large or hidden expenses of going to the high street.

Washington Market 2They pride themselves on their relationship with the traders, and their abilities to offer traders assistance and advice to make their businesses a success, and in turn benefit not only them, but also the market environment in total. The market teams support for the traders at Washington Market is second to none, they always try to help in any way they can. The door to the markets office is always open for traders to come and discuss any problem they have and the team will strive to help in any way they can. This creates a fantastic relationship between them and the traders, as well as helping to make a great atmosphere around the market. Another way the market team are supporting the traders is through social media. Assistant Manager Chris McIlroy has been very busy promoting the market on Facebook, he goes round the different stalls taking photos of any items traders have on sale or on offer and gets it out to the public as soon as possible via the markets Facebook page. He has also helped any trader who has needed help with setting up Facebook and Twitter accounts.

You can follow the market on twitter “@Marketvillage81”, or visit them on facebook as “Marketvillagewashington” to view what their traders have to offer and to see details and pictures of their present and forthcoming events.

Washington Market is very much a community market and they are always looking at ways to raise money for charity. One charity very close to their heart is Cash For Kids.

Throughout the year they hold regular fun days where they invite many different Characters to the market, including Disney, Star Wars etc, offer FREE face painting and many other activities to the customers and in return ask for charitable donations.

At Christmas Craig (Area Manager) and Chris (Assistant Manager) took part in a sky dive both dressed as Santa, again to raise money for this brilliant charity. Chris and Karen (Centre Manager) also went to the Cash For Kids offices before Christmas to help wrap presents and deliver them to the children the charity supports. The market have recently started a partnership with their local radio station, Metro Radio, whose charity Cash For Kids they have helped raise over £2,500.00 for, with joint staff and trader participation in fun days and sponsored events. This partnership will continue throughout the year with various events in the planning, for which the market will benefit from advertising and promotion of the market to the radio stations listeners. The success of this has also lead to Market Villages other markets having a similar partnership with their local stations.

The Washington Market is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm. If you are interested in trading at the market or require any further information please call the market office on 0191 419 0056, or call into the market office for a friendly chat to discuss your requirements with either Karen Carr (Centre Manager), or Chris McIlroy (Assistant Manager).

Area Manager, Craig Taylor, told MTN:
“I am the Area Manager for Market Village in the North of the UK and much of my early career was spent here at Washington. I am extremely proud of what we continue to achieve at Washington, which works, in the main because we have such a good working relationship with the existing tenant/ trader base. At a time when some markets seem to be struggling, I am really pleased with our achievements here but we will not rest on our laurels. Our investment in new staff (Chris McIlroy has such great energy!) will help the market and the Company continue to go from strength to strength

Telephone 0191 419 0056