Croydon’s newest indoor market is set to close after just three months in business.

Stuff Market Place rose from the ashes of the defunct Beanos record store in February, with owner David Lashmar relishing a packed first weekend of trading.

But despite increased trading week-on-week the store failed to attract enough tenants to make it financially viable.

Mr Lashmar said: “I would like to say how much I have enjoyed creating this short-lived but unique environment.

“I lost a lot of money but had great fun working with amazing people.

“Stuff will be remembered and maybe become a model for the future.”

The quirky store design included a plethora of differently designed fully-enclosed units on the bottom floor, with one resembling a provincial French cottage and another a beach hut.

A guerilla marketing campaign featuring postcards of Croydon landmarks appeared in pubs and other venues across the borough ahead of the store’s opening.

But Mr Lashmar announced today the store would close on April 30 “with obvious regret”.

The entrepreneur said he was now looking for a new, independent management company to take over the operation, with a view to a new Stuff market opening in the future.

He added many tenants were reducing the price of their stock until closing day, giving customers the chance to “come in and see what could have been”.

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