THE man in charge of the company that runs the estate's market says it is "committed" to New Addington – even though it has lost half its traders in recent years.
Brian Nunan, managing director of Bray Associates, says the Central Parade market has lost about 50 per cent of its stallholders, while shoppers have also expressed concern about the lack of variety on offer at a market which doesn't even have a fruit and veg stall.
A councillor has suggested the market could be brought back under the control of the council.
However Mr Nunan said he had no plans to abandon New Addington and is committed to making the market, which has been a fixture on the estate for more than 40 years, a success again.
He said: "Things have not been as good as they used to be and the traders deserve a pat on the back for sticking it out. Our thing now is to stick it out and rebuild.
"I think we have got a good team and the Tesco development will come back up and regenerate the area."
New Addington's Tuesday and Friday market is one of 17 Bray runs across the country.
Residents and traders have expressed concerns that the market has fewer and fewer stalls, selling fewer types of produce.
Shopper Christine Monan, 53, said: "I used to do all the shopping for my daughter up here. We used to get all the household goods and the car parks used to be totally full.
"Where have all the kids' clothes gone? There used to be so many traders."
Traders and residents say the market has suffered from being moved, so that some of the stalls are now on the slip road next to the shops, rather than in the square.
The move was designed to increase footfall both to the markets and the shops opposite, but some argue that it has not worked.
Ward councillor Tony Pearson said the market had lost out to bargain stores on the parade and argued the time has come for a "discussion" over its management.
He said: "There is a discussion to be had about perhaps either bringing it back in house [to the council] or looking at operators that might run two to three markets."
Mr Nunan said that he thought the "halcyon days" of markets were on the wane, but his team was trying to improve the situation.
He said: "We have got a very good manager in and he is always pushing others to come and pitch in New Addington.
"We have no intention of giving it up."
