SPOTLIGHT ON WALTHAMSTOW: Call for council to help traders (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

SPOTLIGHT ON WALTHAMSTOW: Call for council to help traders

6:01pm Thursday 25th February 2010 in

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TRADERS have called on the council to do more to help them attract business.

Stallholders told the Guardian that the increase in parking restrictions in streets around the High Street in recent years has deterred people from driving into Walthamstow to shop at the market.

They also feel the market is not advertised by the council enough.

Naimeul Hasan, 52, has sold framed pictures on the market for 12 years.

He said: “There have been more and more restrictions on parking and traffic which makes it difficult for traders and shoppers to park.

“They should open up the Arcade site for public parking on Saturdays and Sundays.

“And they have the big screen in the town square, but don't use it to advertise local businesses or traders.

“They never listen to us.”

Steve Burton, of the Walthamstow Street Traders Association, said: “Everybody is struggling, not just market traders, but the parking rules have not helped.”