Brand new flooring and lighting. Colorful pennants on redesigned stands. This Saturday morning in Sarcelles (Val-d’Oise), it’s market day under the newly renovated Village hall. Renovation of the roof, toilets, compliance of electrical and hydraulic installations, modernization of shops, spaces, etc. Nearly one million euros were invested by the municipality.
With a clear desire: to try to “breath new life” into this historic market which has been losing momentum for “around ten years”.
Little by little, the number of traders collapsed. “On Saturday, we were down to 5 and 2 on Wednesday,” relates Olivier Langlet, Major Projects project manager for the town of Sarcelles.
Far from the more than 200 at the very popular Grand Ensemble market. “I knew the one from the Village going outside to Place de la Libération,” recalls a resident of the neighborhood for over thirty years.
A time gone by and a lack of offer clearly appeared as a grievance among residents’ responses to the survey on the subject distributed by the municipality. “The idea was to know the gaps, their needs, their desires,” she explains.
Attract and retain new merchants
In fact, in parallel with the construction site, the company managing the market went in search of newcomers. Last Saturday, the day of the inauguration of the renovated hall, there were seven of them unpacking here for the first time. Several caterers, a baker and even a greengrocer. Everyone returned this week, except the fishmonger.
But despite the efforts made, stalls still remain empty. “We will continue to look. We know it’s not simple. We see it in other cities,” notes Olivier Langlet.
Especially since it’s about bringing them in, but also retaining them. “I didn’t go to markets until then, it was mainly to make the store known. Then, it has to be profitable. We have three months to test before taking out a subscription or not,” explains Lynda, pastry chef at the Corne de Gazelle oriental tea room in Ézanville.
Rami, from the Lebanese catering restaurant Chez Hanna in Paris, also wants to “give it a try”. “Afterwards we will see if we can stay because there were a lot of people for the inauguration, today it is calmer,” he notes.
Aisles however sparse
Indeed, although queues are well formed in front of some historic windows, the aisles still remain very sparse. With a majority of white hair and graying temples among regulars like Janine, 84 years old. “I come every Saturday to do my shopping for several days, especially meat because there is no longer a butcher in the Village. »
Her neighbor is not much younger. “I’ve had my habits for a long time but it’s certain that there are mainly retirees,” smiles the almost eighty-year-old.
After major work, the city is trying to relaunch the Village market. LP/Anne Collin
For Eloy, boss of RD des Marées, present in this market for thirty years, that is the whole point. “There is a loyal but fairly elderly clientele. It is rarely or not renewed,” remarks the fishmonger. And then there is inflation. “People favor supermarkets or very popular markets but be careful, they are not the same products. »
“The quality is better,” says a septuagenarian who is lucky enough to “not look at the labels.” However, certain prices charged in the market are another subject raised during the consultation. “For me clearly, meat is too expensive,” whispers a retiree.
New animations
A subject to which the city will be sensitive for the new offer. As for trying to increase the clientele, she is working on it. “We are developing communication. We are going to strengthen the signage and increase the number of events, as will soon be the case for Beaujolais Nouveau or Christmas. Then the question will be: Will residents be able to keep up with the precariousness that is taking hold like everywhere,” notes the town hall.
However, it hopes that the renewed market will help its more general desire to “revitalize” the city center, which is not immune to a decline in local shops and an increase in the installation of kebabs and other fast food restaurants.
If its room for maneuver is limited, it can use its right of pre-emption as with the former Baldacchino butcher’s shop for which a call for tenders has been launched. A “city center manager” was even hired.
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