We go behind the scenes of the SE16 market to find out more about what’s on offer – and why the buzz continues to grow
“I missed my stop going to [Rotherhithe’s] The Mayflower pub when I got out at Canada Water station and saw a spot perfect for a market”: Will Cutteridge, founder of The Market Network, tells us how he stumbled upon the ideal square to launch Canada Water Market.
Having worked in markets for 10 years, since he was 17 and working as a cheesemonger at farmer’s markets, Will saw the opportunity for a market operator that “invested more in traders, put seating out, and really invested in the community”.
What’s kept Will in the industry for so long? “The people”, he says. “We’ve unearthed so many really interesting small businesses and people that have big dreams, and it’s such a privilege for us to be able to provide them with a local opportunity where they can take a product from idea to market. That’s what keeps me in the industry.”
Will runs Canada Water Market on Sundays and Wapping Docklands Market on Saturdays, but he “owes the projects to the incredible team” behind him. Fabi da Cunha is the markets’ operations manager and the only full-time employee, “she works harder than anyone I’ve ever met”, says Will.
What sets the markets aside from others? “The traders put a lot of effort into their products,” he tells us. “They bring an incredible amount of passion and effort and dedication to serve amazing food to their customers, and they are really what makes the market. For example, Mr Porchetta, their work starts on the Monday after the Sunday market, it takes a whole day to make an entire porchetta and it’s a piece of art.”
Valeria founded Mr Porchetta with her boyfriend in January 2023, and they were selling out early for the day as we spoke at the market. They wanted to bring a lesser-known side of Italian food to more people, serving porchetta – which is a seasoned roasted pork that takes five hours to slow cook – in a sourdough roll with a selection of toppings.
She says: “The market is well organised with lots of seating, and all food vendors are different to each other – there is a lot of variety for people to choose.”
For example, Take, owner of Samurai Curry Rice, cooks traditional Japanese curry rice, which began as he was “fascinated by the history”. He learned the recipes from his mother and now cooks it how he likes to eat it.
At Canada Water Market, Take says there is a “sense of community” and he feels a “local vibe” thanks to his repeat customers, who “keep coming back”. He says, often, they’ve been to Japan and “know the real deal”, which is what they call Samurai Curry Rice, too.
Mustapha, another trader at Canada Water Market, is co-owner of Jou Jou’s Bites with his wife and, what started as a hobby, has now expanded into new ventures.
“We bring some the Taiwanese flavours that my wife grew up with to London, recipes that her granny had taught her,” he tells us. Their most popular dish is the slow-cooked pork belly, which is done in shaoshing wine and served with rice and homemade pickles and chilli oil.
It’s not only food and drink on offer, too. Jerrinice Itela, owner and creator of Paquita Ruby Jewellery, makes hand-crafted jewellery. “I love to make affordable jewellery that lasts longer than your usual high street jewellery,” she tells us.
And, at the market, despite wondering if she would be deterred from the cold of working outside all day, she loves it: “I love the traders and the vibe, it gives me a real sense of community and support. The locals are so supportive, too, and it’s so nice to have my regular customers.”
Looking ahead at the market, Will explains how they’ve expanded the seating to include 40 more seats, “which will be great for our traders’ covers throughout the day”, and he promises a more “jampacked entertainment schedule” for 2024, too. So, whatever the weather, Canada Water Market will welcome you rain or shine.
Canada Water Market, Deal Porter Square, Surrey Quays Rd, SE16 7AR
Open Sundays from 10am to 4pm
