Whether you go to Notting Hill for Portobello
Market or simply for the vibrant atmosphere, the trendy capital of West London
has boasted popularity for years. Starting off as a small market on Saturday’s: it has gradually
exploded into the internationally famed
attraction it is today. People flock to the region to experience a
small village feel in the midst of the hustle and bustle of London, but on
occasion, crowds of tourists take away that authentic ambiance.
In the height of the Swinging Sixties, you could
buy vintage for less than you would spend on a coffee today. Over the years, prices in both the market and
small businesses have sky rocketed to an unbelievable amount. According to
current advertisements, it now costs a seller on average £5000-8000 to buy a
stall in the fashion district of Portobello market, and between £300-700 a week to
rent in the other two zones of the market. With stall prices rising,
merchandise has also seen a steep incline in cost- where most market goers can't
afford to buy anything. Housing prices as well as product costs have
escalated. Home.co.uk states that in the
last year the average asking price for a property in Notting Hill was £1,858,476. What was once the place to go for
a bargain, is now a modern playground for the rich and famous.
By Chelsea Davis
Notting Hill locals find the region virtually inhabitable
on the weekends. Living just off of Portobello Road, chief executive and editor
of Prospect Magazine, Bronwen Maddox says 'Notting Hill is an amazing place to
live being so close to everything, but it becomes impossible to get anywhere on
a Saturday. Tourists come in droves and
block up the roads.' Some residents believe that eager visitors take away some
of the authentic feel of the area, and full-time mother and Notting Hill local
Michelle Price agrees; 'I have to drive
through Portobello Road to leave my house, and on the weekends it takes and
extra twenty minutes just to get past the tourists in the streets. Fifteen
years ago the market had a more relaxed atmosphere, whereas today it is more
hectic. ' The area is a must see place,
but for locals, it can become a hassle.
People are quickly flocking to West London after
the hype for the East has reached its pinnacle. With Notting Hill offering
vintage hideaways and one of a kind clothing pieces, it is the place to go for
personal style if you can afford above average price tags. Even though the
region has evolved over the years, like much of London, the pleasant aura seems to be
constant. Located in the fashion zone of Portobello Market, Senior vintage
clothing dealer Penny Garcia, explains that '(she) has been selling here for
going on thirteen years now, and the
feeling of Notting Hill hasn't changed, just the faces have.'
However, Notting Hill is more than Portobello Road. Famed by the movie of the same name; the reputation of the area has
rapidly increased over the last decade.
Even though you can't find the exact same iconic blue door, with Hugh Grant
behind it, you will still find the same charming mood around every corner. With it’s winding side streets having a
typically British feel; the character of Notting Hill is constantly changing
and allowing the area to be versatile in both cuisine and culture.
