A food and craft market is being launched by Ham residents, in an attempt to turn around the fortunes of the Parade and its declining shops.

The market will bring fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and flowers, along with street food, crafts and family entertainment.

It will be held on the first Saturday of the month, except January, from 10am to 2pm.

Organiser Matt Georges said: “Over the last two years, we’ve lost our bank, our butchers and our greengrocers. Watching the death throes of Ham Parade really upset me, so I looked into why this was happening. The butchers and greengrocers were perfectly profitable businesses. They were forced to close by landlords seeking higher rents.”

Mr Georges intended to set up a community-owned shop, but said the right property did not become available.

Then, inspired by the success of the monthly markets in Surbiton and Kew, the residents decided to set one up in Ham Parade, aiming to provide a lifeline for the local economy.

Mr Georges said: “We had to stabilise the patient, as it were, because the shops left on the parade are struggling from the lack of footfall.

“The idea is to keep the money in the neighbourhood so it stays here and supports the surrounding economy, rather than draining off to big businesses that could be situated anywhere.”

Ham Parade Market will launch on Saturday, October 7.