Newham Market customers scared away by crime, say traders

Naveed Choudhary, chairman of the traders' union, said the market had a big crime problem

Traders at an east London market have warned pick-pockets are driving away their customers.

Queen's Market in Upton Park, Newham, which is more than 100 years old, is popular for African, Caribbean and South Asian food and fabrics.

Traders' union chairman Naveed Choudhary said people were becoming "too scared" to visit.

Newham Council said it was aware of anti-social behaviour issues and had employed a night-time security team.

Mr Choudhary said: "They snatch the bags and this is a big problem. We have fewer people coming inside because they're scared.

"We're trying hard, we had a meeting with [a security team] but they're not doing anything which is a big problem for us."

Leigh Hoadley, who has worked on her father's stall for more than 20 years, agreed that the market was no longer a safe place to work.

She said: "Sometimes we come in and there's bottles everywhere and rubbish, someone got hit over the head with a metal pole last week. It's not nice at all."

Friends of Queen's Market campaigner Pauline Rowe with market trader Leigh Hoadley

A spokesperson for Newham Council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it was aware of anti-social behaviour at the market, adding that a security team had been employed to watch and patrol the area from 18.00 to 06.00 GMT.

They said there were additional security guards who worked longer shifts to keep traders and shoppers safe.

In September 2020, Newham Council received funding to improve the market with new lighting, toilets, signage, power bollards and new canopies for the front of the market.

The council is looking at options that would involve "retaining and modernising" the market and the buildings around it, and is seeking views in an online consultation.

The ongoing refurbishment has been welcomed by traders, but the council's future plans for the market have been met with some hesitancy from campaigners.

The market sells a large range of products from meats and fruit to fabrics

Pauline Rowe from community group Friends of Queen's Market, made up of shoppers and traders, said the council's consultation website could not be easily accessed by local people.

Ms Rowe is also worried that some shops will be flattened under the plans because some are not included in drawings and designs.

She said: "Most people think information about what the council is doing would be on the council website but all of this stuff is on a special website which most of the traders haven't seen. 

"[The council] is due to decide what it's going to do and what it's definitely going to put on this site in March next year but a lot of the plans and designs show the shops are gone."

The council said: "Newham Council recognises the historic, current and future value of Queen's Market to the traders, shoppers and residents of Newham and have committed on keeping a safe, fit-for-purpose and modern market that will work for the local community and traders.

"The current refurbishment will enhance what the market can offer, and was developed with feedback from residents and traders."

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