A trader writes...

Here's another email that I feel moved to reproduce pretty much in its entirety (I have made edits to protect its sender's anonymity).

[We] are former traders ... for over five years ... and apart from the sheer volume of work our stall created thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie etc. of the market. What we noticed was the steady decline of goods which the management permitted onto the shop floor. When we started one had to pass a quality test and competition was high . This resulted in a fantastic cross section of genuine crafts which in turn pollinated the large footfall. Then came all day opening of the pubs and the daily 1530 flurry of sales dissipated. Management changed and the onslaught of cheap / nasty imports followed...creativity was annulled by traders merely arriving packed to the gills with store bought whatevers. Management were entirely to blame and lo and behold the rents escalated. One by one the old faithfuls dropped out unable to make ends meet and to day I believe a maximum of four traders are still grinding out a subsistence-more out of habit than anything else.

So the point of my e-mail is not to whinge but to actually analyse the demise....a few key factors

* Greenwich council / hospital trust that owns the market obviously have a futuristic "big picture" to develop the square
* Single ownership of ALL surrounding pubs/restaurants - excessive prices / lack of competition
* Tatty goods
* Poor market management
* Escalating rents
* Etc etc

Perm any two from this list along with your thoughts and lets devise a rescue plan ....or be dragged down with apathy.

I value traders' views of their experience of the market. More please.