Newham Council secures £25,000 to improve Queen’s Market for local residents and traders

Newham Council have been awarded £25,000 by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to help improve Queen’s Market, as part of a programme of work to restore the market and improve the wider Green Street area for the benefit of local residents, traders and small businesses.

The funding will be used to develop ideas to improve the borough’s famous Queen’s Market in Green Street, a long-standing vibrant and bustling destination for local residents to buy a range of products including fresh and healthy food.

The £25,000 grant will be part of a wider programme of improvements that the Council is planning across the wider Green Street area, with residents and local businesses involved in shaping plans.

The programme includes a consultation, currently running until Saturday 30 June, which enables local people to provide their thoughts and views. These can be shared on freepost postcards which can be returned through the post free of charge, or placed into the drop box at Green Street Library, ideas can also be submitted online. In addition, a number of consultative meetings with residents, traders and small business owners are being held with the Mayor, local councillors and council officers.

Findings from the consultation will help to inform how the £25,000 grant from the GLA will be spent. It will support both short and medium-term ideas to improve the look, feel and function of Queen’s Market.

The Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said: “I’m really pleased that the Mayor of London and the GLA have recognised the council’s commitment to improving one of Capital’s most famous and diverse markets, also one of its cheapest.

“Improvements to Queen’s Market, which has stood next to Upton Park station for over 100 years, are a demonstration of my administration’s commitment to restoring our heritage, celebrating our history and ensuring that we protect an important community asset that so many of our residents depend on.

“By investing in the market, we are supporting a vibrant local high street, its traders and small businesses by bringing more shoppers to an important town centre. Queen’s Market also plays an important part in our local economy, offering people low-risk and accessible routes to test business ideas, gain employment and learn new skills.

“For anyone living or working in the Green Street area, I’d encourage you to submit your ideas to the council, and have a say in how we shape the future of Queen’s Market and the surrounding area so that it remains the gem of a place it is for more years to come.’’

In the summer, residents and local businesses will be invited to a community event to allow the ideas to be presented. This will include a list of possible short, medium and long-term projects with the aim of revitalising Green Street. Some of these will be council projects, with others being led by residents and businesses.

To submit ideas to the Council on how to improve Green Street and Queen’s Market, visit www.newham.gov.uk/greenstreet​

Published: 20 Jun 2019