TALKING to a fellow shopper at Queens Road Market last Saturday we both expressed alarm about the future of shopping in Newham. I dislike supermarkets and the big chains and was relieved to know that I am not alone in my views. I wasn t born in Newham bu

TALKING to a fellow shopper at Queens Road Market last Saturday we both expressed alarm about the future of shopping in Newham.

I dislike supermarkets and the big chains and was relieved to know that I am not alone in my views.

I wasn't born in Newham but moved here as a child. The most welcoming sight was the Old Queens Road Market and I have loved it since.

Though I live in Newham we refuse to shop in the borough as the facilities are so boring. There is one exception - Queens Road Market and Green Street.

I'm constantly amazed by the wonderful selection of fruit and vegetables all very reasonably priced and often of better quality then the chilled options available from supermarkets.

The haberdashery stall is great and I have quite a few lovely Asian tops bought from another trader. Household items are also for sale.

In fact most of our weekly fruit and vegetables are bought from the market.

I hope that Queens Road Market survives in its present format and that St Modwen go and find another area to develop.

The residents and traders using the market don't want a 'cloned' market with piped music and tannoys with announcements, but they do need access to fresh fruit and vegetables at reasonable prices especially with rising levels of obesity, poor health and poverty.

Redeveloped markets are destroyed by the very nature of development.

Has anyone noticed the following markets Stratford, East Ham, Greenwich, Camden and Spitalfields? All of these have been smartened up, none of them are prosperous or loved. Last time I visited East Ham market it was empty.

There are many of us living locally who feel that it is time to make a stand and say no to St Modwen and the local authority's plans to destroy a busy vibrant market. - LOUISE SINCLAIR, Chesterton Terrace, Plaistow.