Contributing Photographer Sarah Ainslie & I enjoyed our visit to the Latin Market in Seven Sisters so much that we returned to meet more of the traders. In spite of threats of closure, we were delighted to see that the market thrives as a teeming hive of small businesses and a vital focus for the Latin community in London. Next we are planning a Saturday night excursion to the market for salsa dancing.
Corina – “I came to this market eleven and a half years ago, I had a friend who ran this shop before me, selling clothes. I started bringing her clothes from my country, Romania. I was a single mother with two children and no access to benefits, so I had to do something. My son was seven months and my daughter was three. I got a loan from the bank and imported clothes from Romania to sell in Finsbury Park. But then I met a girl who ran this shop and she brought me here. At first, I used to clean the shop and change the clothes on the mannequins. This way my English improved. Then I bought the business and took it over.
Ari - “I learnt to be a barber in the Dominican Republic and I came to London via Madrid. I have been cutting men’s hair in my sister’s shop in this market for three years and built the business up. I get on with my customers very well and I enjoy cutting hair and barbering. This market is an important meeting place for Latinos.
What a wonderful series of portraits of people who have worked hard to become entrepreneurs. An inspiration!
Look forward to the salsa dancing visit (and a video of the Gentle Author dancing!). I urge readers to pay a visit to the market soon for a bite or a drink, it is really one of a kind, and if they enjoy themselves to donate any sum that they feel able to using the campaign support link just above this comments section. The market is at risk of disappearing due to development with no successor returning on site or anywhere else despite the traders having proposed a viable alternative.
I am full of admiration for these wonderful, hardworking people. Pablo’s story story is incredible and very sad but luckily has a happy ending. I would love to know more about how he survived in such difficult circumstances. Good luck to them all.
Wonderful, inspirational people – a good example to any other people who moan about there being no opportunities. These people have overcome challenges that most of us have never experienced – but they didn’t sit back and moan – they each took charge of their lives and they deserve all the very best things in life. I wish them well.
An inspiring article. I admire the work ethic of the people featured and the adversity they have overcome. I hope the market is saved or else a much improved site is provided.
Can’t say I ever liked the area and I haven’t been back in years but now I might visit.