Hitchin Market: a picture essay of the early 2000s. Photos by Simon Maddison

“Having lived in Hitchin and shopped at the market since 1973, I wish I’d taken more photos of the market in those early years. My  photographic interests are informal portraits, street life, storytelling and social documentary.

Images, both candid and posed, show the diversity of market days illustrating both the general market and the antiques and craft markets. The market has faced some challenges over the last 50 years, from the growth of supermarkets to more recently, the impact of Covid.

Footfall at times has been very low. One constant is the English weather which can make running a stall frankly miserable some days. I have sought to capture this and to recognise the fortitude of particularly the longstanding traders in these adverse conditions. My sincere thanks to all the market traders who have allowed me to loiter and photograph them, their tolerance is much appreciated. Without their friendly cooperation there would be no exhibition.” Simon Maddison.

This Exhibition runs in the Arches space of the Terrace Gallery from 5th September – 2 October 2003.