Traders have welcomed a £200,000 revamp of their street, but claim more needs to be done to draw customers back to local shops.

Waltham Forest Council provided the cash as it carries out improvement works to Albert Crescent and Chingford Mount Road, including repainting shops and restoring a 1920s art deco clock.

It is also expanding pavements in Chingford Mount Road and expects to launch a farmer’s market in the area before Christmas.

Ali Tasci, 41, who owns Chingford Fruit and Vegetables, said: “It’s definitely good for business. I’m very happy, more people will come in all the time.

“They’re going to redecorate my shop free of charge and the others, it will make the street look much smarter. But we need more parking too, half an hour, or an hour, when people can stay free of charge."

But he was not as enthusiastic about the farmer’s market.

Despite it becoming a success in other areas including Station Road, Chingford, he believes Sundays is not a busy shopping day.

He said: “Another day people would be coming in for it but Sundays people spend at home.”

Contractors have been busy knocking down the flower beds next to the war memorial in Chingford Mount Road in order to widen the pavement, after the beds replaced public toilets demolished in 2010.

Ilhan Yogur, owner of Aroma coffee shop in Albert Crescent, said the improvements would mean the area could become a place people want to spend time, rather than simply buying necessary items.

He said: “It will probably bring more people in who’ll want to relax here. I’m hopeful it will change the area for the better and make it desirable.”

But Colin Greenslade, who owns Henry’s of Chingford furniture shop in nearby Hall Lane, believes the lack of public toilets and long parking hours will continue to deter shoppers.

He said: “People don’t want to pop in, they would want to spend time here, but the lack of parking means they can’t. Plus since the toilets have got worse people go wherever they can. 

"They don’t even provide portaloo cabins so people go in alleyways. The work they’re doing is the most unattractive thing I’ve seen in my life.”

The improvements are part of a £9 million regeneration programme to improve high streets around the borough.