Borough Market launches appeal to support struggling traders

The fund has been kick started by a £20,000 donation from the Borough Market Trust, £20,000 from Better Bankside and £10,000 from United St Saviour's Charity.

Local businesses including Spanish food importers Brindisa have also pledged their support.

The fund will provide financial assistance to members of the community who are dependent on the market.

The market has remained closed since the terrorist attack on Saturday 3 June whilst police continue their examination of the scene.

"An atrocity of this magnitude has many hidden victims," said Donald Hyslop, chair of the Borough Market trustees.

"Among these are the independent traders and producers who rely upon Borough Market for their livelihood.

"With the market still closed and with valuable stock lost, some of these traders – although none would be quick to admit it – are struggling.

"If any of these traders, whose skill and dedication make the market such a wonderful asset, were to find the viability of their work threatened by this act of violence, the result would be to add a sad injustice to a terrible tragedy.

"The Borough Market trust and some of the wider Bankside community, the market's larger businesses have joined together to establish a hardship fund for those traders who are suffering most in these uncertain times.

"Anyone who wishes to support this fund will find their generosity gratefully received. There was never any doubt in my mind that the market's community would pull together in a crisis, but it is nonetheless humbling to see that solidarity in action."

• To donate to the fund, see www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bmrelieffund