A new market boosted business for struggling traders, it is claimed.


Station Road in Chingford, welcomed its first Essex Farmers' Market on Sunday and it was immediately hailed a success after attracting shoppers on a traditionally quiet day.


The market, which sells meat, eggs and other fresh produce, is set to be held every second Sunday of the month after 1,600 people signed a petition calling on Waltham Forest Council to arrange it.
 

Petition organiser Adam Osen, 53, of Woodberry Way, Chingford, said: "It went fantastically well. It was an unqualified success.


"It was crowded until nearly closing time and the shops which opened were really pleased because they were full of people."


The market opened between 10am and 3pm on the stretch of pavement between Willow Street and Buxton Road.


The Pantry co-owner Russ Ellison said he was shocked at how busy his shop had been.


He said: "It was excellent and totally unprecedented how much of an effect it would have. I think we’ll have to be a bit better prepared for next month because we were packed.

"There was nothing really that encroached on what local businesses were selling and it was brilliant to see so many people attracted here because of it."


But sweet shop Truly Scrumptious did not benefit as it had hoped to,  which co-owner Alan Fairs put down to being located across the road from stalls.
 

He said: "It did hurt us being on the other side. It was a waste of time but shops on the other side did very well. It was absolutely jammed and that was great to see, but unfortunately it didn’t help us."


The council has stated it will consider introducing similar markets to areas including Leytonstone and south Chingford.