Ridley Road Market will receive 165 new stalls, extra lighting and bike racks (Photo: Marion Dakers)
Ridley Road Market will undergo a £1 million facelift starting next month, after years of consultations and previous botched attempts to revamp the market.
The Council’s plans were finalised on Monday and include space for 165 larger stalls (down from 181 at present), new lighting and improved footpaths. New bike-racks are also planned, though market traders have voiced concerns over the lack of car parking.
The Council has stated that the market will remain open during the work, which is due to finish in September 2010.
But market traders remain concerned that until repairs are complete, the resulting building work will scare away all their trade.
Barry Lambert, who has worked on the market for 65 years, told The Hackney Post: “It’s no good spending £1 million if there is nowhere to park. People shouldn’t have to park at Sainsbury’s . Though it’s nice that everyone will have equal-sized pitches.
“They made a pig’s ear of the repairs last time. All the tarmac was breaking off, weeks after we moved back, and they wasted £65,000 on street lights that don’t work. They haven’t told us where we are going while the work is taking place – we’re not sure if we will be able to operate.”
Fidelia Asante, who works at a café on Ridley Road, echoed Lambert’s concerns. “Parking is the main problem for the market. I am concerned that the work might affect customers coming in – combined with the parking problems, it might put people off.”
Pat Hunt, vegetable seller on the Back Home stall, said: “The building work will be great for the area in the long term, but a nightmare for the stall holders in the meantime.
“I’ve been to lots of meetings about the future of the market, but they change their minds every five minutes. These new plans are by no means the last word on what happens to us.
“No-one’s told us what will happen to our stalls, whether we’re being moved during the work. We still don’t know what ‘s happening with access at the far end.”
Councillor Alan Laing, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said in a press release: “The Council is investing in improving the experience shoppers and business people will have as they move around the market. These improvements will be visible and create a better environment for everyone who uses the market.”
