The decline of Hitchin Tuesday market

The Hitchin Tuesday market flourished throughout the 70s and 80s with shoppers traveling in from nearby villages and Stevenage. Today, despite a facelift of the stalls it is a shadow of its former self.
I sought to capture the emptiness, the passing and often desultory nature of the few shoppers and the gloom of the stall holders hanging on for the rare sale. Will brave and inventive attempts to conjure a bit of humour and sell penguin pie halt the decline and inevitable closure?
My entry for the 2015 RPS Documentary Group competition Documentary Photographer of the Year 2015.
Only 5 images allowed, taken in 2015, plus a brief statement of intent. (above)
2 more images from 31 Jan 2017 added to this album