Suppert for Rathbone Market Traders

Under pressure from big supermarkets, Rathbone Market has declined in recent years. Its landlord Newham Council has done little to help – and some say it has been active against the interests of the traders.

Grass-roots encouragement and empowerment is a key principle of the Christian Peoples Alliance so last autumn Cllr Alan Craig met with disillusioned traders. Together they set up the Rathbone Traders Action Group.

A committee was formed, a bank account was opened, and already the Group has scored some successes. Town hall bosses met the Group twice in a month and changes have been started already. And council officers are now working with traders to develop individually tailored plans for the future.

Never underestimate the powerful effect of people working together at local level!