We first visited Market Village at The Stratford Centre in January, after news broke that all 61 businesses in the venue had been forced to leave overnight. The shock closure was the result of previous lease holders Stratford Market Properties Ltd having appointed administrators. Traders said they were hand-delivered a letter on the afternoon of January 10 with details of the administration.
Market Village closed in January after the leaseholder went into administration (Image: Olivia Carter) The letter also served as a notice for businesses to stop trading there with immediate effect. Angela Akbas, who runs the Central Cafe with her husband Ali, told us at the time that the news came "out of the blue". Angie said: "It's heart-breaking.
"I’m in such a state at the moment worrying – this is our livelihoods you know? The Central Cafe has been open for 22 years, with Angie joining husband Ali eight years ago to help with running it (Image: Olivia Carter) "We’ve never been behind with our rent. We spent our life savings during the Covid-19 times to get back on our feet again." The market had been operating since 1974 and, after months of talks, Newham Council announced in May that it had been saved.
The shutters to Market Village went up in May (Image: Olivia Carter) On our return visit, the atmosphere and appearance of Market Village had been transformed. Just months ago, the halls resembled something of a ghost town, with deserted units and closed shutters. (function (d, .
