Tag Archives: Food Culture

The Importance of Markets, Asian Style

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Leigh Sparks

As I think I have mentioned, I was away in January, mainly in Cambodia, but also in Singapore. Since I have been back it has been a little hectic and so some posts reflecting on aspects of my time away … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Food Retailing, Localisation, Markets, Networks, Producers, Singapore, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stirling – Still All at C

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Leigh Sparks

I had no intention of adding to my last post about the perverse decision of Stirling Council to go against official recommendation and permit a new ASDA superstore on a greenfield site further out from Stirling than any other retail … Continue reading →

Posted in Asda, Car Dependency, Climate Emergency, Closure, East Kilbride, Employment, Food Retailing, High Streets, Local Authorities, Marks and Spencer, Out of Town, Place Principle, Places, Planning, Politicians, Retail Planning, Social Inequality, Spatial Planning, Stirling, Stirling Council, Sustainability, Town Centres, Towns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Food and Retailing Cultures: Zaragoza

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Leigh Sparks

On a few occasions before, I have come back from somewhere and commented on the quality of food and/or retail culture that I have observed. I have then contrasted it with our own paucity of offer. I know this can … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Consumer Lifestyle, Food, Food Retailing, Heritage, Lisbon, Local Retailers, Markets, Places, Retail History, Retail Planning, Shopfronts, Signage, Spaces, Streetscapes, Town Centres, Uncategorized, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time Out in Lisbon: Part One

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

It has been some time since I was in Lisbon and thus it was a pleasure to receive an invite to present a keynote to a conference on retail, consumption and urban governance, especially in early autumn, which is slightly … Continue reading →

Posted in Academics, Architecture, Brands, Eataly, Emporium Shokuhin, Food and Beverage, Food Court, Food Tourism, Gastronomy, Historic Shops, History, Lisbon, Markets, Places, Regeneration, Retailers, Scotland Food and Drink, Singapore, Time Out, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Big Show (Y Sioe Fawr)

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Leigh Sparks

A few weeks ago I attended the Royal Welsh Show (Y Sioe Fawr) at Llanelwedd/Builth Wells.  For a number of years I have been to the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston and have always thought it to be a large … Continue reading →

Posted in Farmers Markets, Festivals, Food and Beverage, Food Quality, Food Retailing, Markets, Producers, Rates, Retail Economy, Retailers, Rural, Sustainability, Tax | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roman Remains

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Leigh Sparks

Let’s get the rugby out of the way first. It’s all Scotland’s fault; these days it always is. Another wooden spoon and apparently  such a poor performance that the true champions, Wales, despite a magnificent demonstration of world-class rugby against … Continue reading →

Posted in Eataly, Food, Food Quality, Food Tourism, Heritage, Logistics, Markets, Public Realm, Scotland Food and Drink, Slow Food, Urban History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On Market Day

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Leigh Sparks

From the time I grew up in South Wales, one of the abiding memories was the market (both the livestock, but also the food and non-food markets). Bridgend’s market was quite large to my nostalgic eyes, located on a set-aside … Continue reading →

Posted in Farmers Markets, Food, Heritage, Markets | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments