The 2006 Mega Mela promises to be the biggest yet as it returns to its home of Platt Fields Park. But what does it mean to Manchester's Asian community? We asked shopkeepers Dalip and Jyoti Sarwal who sell Indian fashion items at the Mela:
Jyoti Sarwal with her children
Dalip Sarwal and his wife Jyoti run the clothing store Sai Fashions in Cheetham Hill. They're regulars at the Manchester Mela and told us what the Mela means to them:
Dalip Sarwal:
"I’ve had a stall at the Mela for seven years. It’s always been good for business. It attracts many people from outside of Manchester so it is a way of getting new customers who may know the name of the shop but not where it is. They see our stall and they can find out where we are. The shop has had a lot more customers since we started at the festival. We take certain lines of our clothing with us. The most popular items change from month to month, but at the moment its wedding season so we will be hoping that our wedding collection will be the best seller.”
Jyoti Sarwal:
"Although we enjoy a good sale it’s also a fun day for us and the children. We always enjoy having a day out of the shop!"
Jyoti Sarwal, Sai Fashions
“We do have to pay a fee for the stall, but it’s always been worth it for the publicity. Customers at the Mela might want something that we only sell at the shop so later they’ll call at the shop for it and then they will keep coming back. It’s important for us to raise the profile of the shop and introduce the name Sai Fashions to more people. I want them to know what the name stands for and what we sell.
At the Mela the people will buy because we often sell things at a special price there. Although we enjoy a good sale it’s also a fun day for us and the children. We always enjoy having a day out of the shop! I am really looking forward to the day and I hope to see lots of people there."
2006 Manchester Mega Mela is at Platt Fields Park on 29 - 30 July. Times:12:00 noon to 9:00pm. Free admission. On site car parking £3 per car
