‘Leave the market alone’ (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

‘Leave the market alone’

9:00am Friday 3rd November 2006

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WOMEN marched against the proposed redevelopment of Queen's Market on Saturday.

About 160 people took part in the procession, which began in Plashet Park and finished in the popular market in Green Street, West Ham.

The protesters are unhappy about plans by private developer St Modwen to revamp the market.

It is feared that the atmosphere of the market will be lost and costs for stallholders will rise.

The womens' procession, which included a samba band, was organised by the Friends of Queen's Market (FoQM) campaign group.

FoQM's Pauline Rowe said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the response.

"Local women feel very strongly about this issue and are keen to show just how much they care about their market."

The march coincided with the three-day exhibition of St Modwen's plans at West Ham United Football Club.

FoQM had previously criticised the choice of exhibition venue. It said that the football club is seen as a symbol of whiteness that would be intimidating for Asian traders to visit.

St Modwen's director of development Nick Kay said he was "gobsmacked" at suggestions that Asians would be intimidated by the venue. He said that many Asian groups use West Ham United's facilities.

Mr Kay said: "We couldn't do it in the market because there was not room and people would have been jostled.

"We have always gone out and met the public and if any other group wants us to come and meet them we will do."

The £85 million plans include 160 pitches for traders, 24 hour CCTV coverage, a library and 350 homes.

The original scheme included an Asda supermarket, but the retail giant pulled out four months ago.

The new plans include extra housing and St Modwen has commissioned different architects; housing specialists PRP on the new project.

Mr Kay said: "The residential part of the market has increased; we needed an architect who has a track record of developing excellent residential schemes in London."

Mr Kay denied the revamp will destroy the market's atmosphere.

He said: "We respect the market and all its values and want to see these retained..

"There is a lot in this for the traders providing we can overcome their problems and I hope we can give them the facilities which will make their lives easier."

Mr Kay confirmed that the traders will have to pay service charges in the new market but said he did not know at this stage whether this will mean that costs rise overall.

He said: "The service charge is not a profit centre for St Modwen, it is a recovery of the actual costs of providing services."

Mr Kay added that rents will be frozen for five years (but only for stallholders, not shopkeepers.) It is expected that the planning application for the new market will be submitted in Spring next year, with building work beginning in Spring 2009.

For more information call the consultation helpline 7323 3544.

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