‘I hope we all get to come back’: Stuart ‘The Hatt’ on Cardiff Market’s future

The locally beloved Stuart Talbot shares his hopes and concerns over the market’s redevelopment and why today’s youth is rediscovering ‘fit-for-purpose’ fashion 

Amid the bustle of Cardiff market’s stalls and jostling crowds, the gentlemen’s clothing retailer Stuart Talbot tilts his cap and greets passersby with a grin and a hearty “Hiya mate!”. 

The Cardiff Market’s 6.5m pound restoration got the go ahead at the end of last year for construction to begin back in the summer. With winter nearing the Victorian building shows no signs of construction.

The plans push towards a more food orientated market with over 70 seats being added to the bottom floor. It is also expected that stalls will need to make temporary closures while construction is taking place.

This has raised concerns among many stallholders, particularly those outside the food sector, about the certainty of their future in the market. “We are one of the stalls that will be most badly affected by all this” said Talbot.

The Hatts Emporium is run by Talbot and his son, he repeatedly credits him for his hard work when talking about the shop. “My son, he does most of the work to be honest” he said. The gentleman’s outfitters is filled with various jackets, trousers accessories and hats of course. Some are vintage and some brand new, all traditional in how they serve different purposes.

Talbot enthusiasm transfers very quickly transfers to his customers. One customer picked up a long grey woolen coat. As soon as the garment left the rail the experienced trader was telling the shopper how it was a “car coat” originally made to be kept in automobiles for drivers and passengers to wear on their travels.

He applies the same attention to detail when discussing his favourite garments to observing those around him, constantly scanning for new customers among the foot traffic as he speaks.

Here he discusses his favourite item in the store: 

It’s no surprise his upbeat nature translates to Talbot trying to have a positive outlook on the construction plans. “If they do exactly what they say they are gonna do I am confident it will do good” he said.

As the market anticipates change he’s noticed a trend of younger shoppers. 

Why young people go for vintage wear

The 59-year-old’s shop has resonated with a generation growing increasingly wary of disposable fashion. He’s noticed more young people coming into the store recently, “I think it’s a sense of value for money” he said.  

He’s observed how the quality of new clothing has declined. “I think it’s fast fashion that’s ruined that,” he said. “It has its place! You have to save money y’know, if you’re a family, a mum and dad with four kids for example.”  

I can always remember being very proud of how my dad looked, that is something that I tried to carry on in my own life

Talbot also thought young people took interest in the garments being fit for purpose, gesturing towards the Harris Tweed coats “for the winds and the weathers. 

“You’ll see different details of tailoring and it’s a reference for what it has been used for.” he said. He said young people might want to feel connected locally. Growing up in Grangetown, Cardiff influenced The Hatts’ style. Reflecting on his style growing up he said “In them days there wasn’t the internet and things like that. So we were a little bit more closely connected.”

His interest in fashion began with his parents, he said “I have lots of memories, mainly with my dad, ’cause my mum used to lay his clothes out. She had a really good eye for what looked nice, and I can always remember being very proud of how my dad looked. That’s something I’ve tried to carry on in my own life.” 

Keeping an open mind

Despite his deep appreciation for tradition when it comes to menswear, Talbot who has over 27 years experience trading, remains open-minded about change. “I try to be positive; it’s very difficult to be negative when there’s no way of stopping it” he said.  

Talbot voices his opinion on the upcoming market changes:

The Hatts Emporium is a father-son business that’s been at the market for 11 years now. “I am confident the renovation will do good but I am concerned that the people who will benefit from it won’t be the original people who were here” said Talbot.  

Talbot acknowledges that the 133-year-old market needs plumbing and roof upgrades. “I hope those involved in the development consider the market’s long history in Cardiff and aim to preserve it in a better state,” he said. “With improvements to the roof and drainage, I’m confident it can go on for another 50 to 100 years and I hope we all get to come back”