London's Portobello Road celebrates 150th anniversary

LONDON, April 3 (KUNA) -- Hundreds of dealers are selling every kind of antiques and collectibles at the popular Portobello Market in central London, one of the world's most famous street markets. This year it is celebrating being 150 years old.
The market is a popular destination for Londoners and tourists alike. It takes up most of the Portobello Road, stretching for around two miles. Traders here sell everything, old and new, and there's plenty of delicious food.
Though the market is famous for antiques, it is also considered a haven for lovers of fashion, food, books and music. It's a place for anyone who seeks something unique or just loves a great bargain. The place is busy through the week, busiest on Saturday when it takes quite a while to walk from end to end in the afternoon.
The Market dates back to the 19th century, when traders used to offer their items, mainly old and second hand on Saturdays. Demands to authorities to allow it to open through the week proved fruitful in 1920. Now, it is only closed on Sunday. Foods, fruits and vegetables came to be offered side by with old drawings, sculptures, cutlery items, telephones, clothes and jewellery. Almost all such goods were used long years before.
A telephone dating to 1910 is the oldest among many at the Portobello phone shop.
Many of these telephones were in use decades ago, and the latest dates to the 1980s, owner Ted Leham told KUNA.
Leham considers himself an antique lover, not a mere traders.
"Over the past 30 years I have been keen on attending auctions where one usually seizes a good telephone," he added. "Many come to the shop to sell used phones." Prices start at 150 Sterling, and sometimes exceed 1,000 Sterling, he said.
In most cases, people who buy such antiques do not intend to use them, they just want to possess something "ancient" as a decoration at home, for instance. (end) kd.msa