STALL holders at Walthamstow’s historic market have given a mixed reaction to the news that another supermarket wants to open in the area.

Morrisons announced this week that it intends to build a new superstore and 250 flats on a car park in South Grove, close to the High Street.

Fruit and veg seller Mark Buesey, who has worked in the market for 32 years, said: “It will kill off the market and it doesn't make sense when you've already got loads of supermarkets here already.

“This place is dying. We're a few weeks away from Christmas and it's pretty quiet, unlike this time last year.

“There doesn't seem to be much investment or advertisement of the market and we haven't got any Christmas lights down our end like in previous years.”

Frank Pittal has been running a footwear stall in the High Street for 38 years.

He said: “I think I'm among the minority here but I think it's brilliant and I fully support it. A new supermarket will help bring more people here.

“But I'm sad to say but I do agree the market is diminishing, I don't think it will ever go away completely but it could end up being the shortest street market in Europe rather than the longest. Shopping habits are changing but if traders adapt they can survive – for example I've branched out into online sales and it's been very successful.

“I think you have to be positive about things, that's why I've managed to survive here so long.”

David Jacobs, who also sells fruit and veg, has worked at the site for 35 years.

He said: “We'll still keep going. Morrisons will never be able to compete with our prices.

“It does seem unnecessary. We've already got Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Iceland, Farm Foods and so on round here, so it's ridiculous really but another one won't make that much difference.”

His colleague John Aken added: “We need another supermarket like we need a hole in the head.

“I don't think it will affect us much but we need shops that will help attract people, something classier like Marks and Spencer. It's a waste of money them building another huge supermarket.”

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