Councillor Bob Belam, Mayor of Waltham Forest, made the festive trip to New Spitalfields to turn on the market's Christmas lights.
The Mayor and his wife Wenda were given a tour of a well-stocked and busy Friday morning market. The tenants' association then donated a cheque for £250 to the Mayor's appeal fund, which collects money for selected charities.
Jim Heppel, tenants' association secretary, said that the market had endured a quiet period in the last couple of months, but was buzzing with activity as Christmas approached.
Olney, meanwhile, has announced his intention to step down from the role of chairman, which he will have held for six years, at the market's annual general meeting in June. Vice-chairman Chris Hutchinson, son of former chairman Arthur, will be sharing duties with Olney until that time, with a view to taking over the position permanently, if elected.
