Walthamstow Market, in East London, is renowned as the longest outdoor market in Europe.
However, the pride of East London is on its knees, according to long-time traders, who have urged the local Waltham Forest Council to act to save it.
Traders told MyLondon that the move towards online shopping as well as new parking rules in the area has decimated their businesses.
Leo Champagnie, 78, has owned his market stall for 22 years after moving to London from Kingston, Jamaica.
The dad-of-five said he had lost half of his customers compared to 2019.
He added: “The market was very good when I first pitched up here, but now it’s run down.
“Parking is the number one thing that’s damaging us.
“The public transport is good, but we can’t rely on that alone to keep this running.”
He continued: “Many people just won’t come if they can’t drive and park here.
“We can’t help the switch to online shopping, but there’s more the council can do to entice people to come here.”
Back in December, concerns were raised by Walthamstow traders that plans for a new traffic scheme would “cripple” the market.
Eliaqat Ali, who runs a clothes stall, echoed Leo’s complaints around parking, adding: “We’re here today on a Thursday and it’s a dead market.
“I still think it’s one of the best markets in Europe, but there is just no parking or good enough ways to get here.
“This is ridiculous, business has really gone down here.
“We used to have people specifically coming to the market from Brighton or Southend, but now hardly anyone from outside Walthamstow will visit.
“We pay £530 a month just to park our vans. The council doesn’t care about us, just wants to take our money.”
Traders have also complained that ULEZ, brought in by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, has made it harder to access the market.
Others criticise the council for not providing toilets for visitors.
Waltham Forest has defended its handling of the market and insisted that it’s investing to bring more people to the area.
Cllr Clyde Loakes, the deputy leader, said: “The town centre has benefitted from a £17.2m Levelling Up fund award, and improvement work has already started on the new cultural quarter centred around the new 950-seat Soho Theatre just round the corner from the market in which the council has invested £30m.
“Attracting more visitors to the area will bring an economic boost for everyone who lives, works, or studies in the borough.”