Organisers of a new open air market say they are “testing the waters” at a village recently plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Liz Boniface has been helping run indoor craft fairs in and around New Ash Green, between Sevenoaks and Gravesend, with the help of co-organisers for many years.

Such markets were set up by volunteers with the aim of encouraging people to shop local and proved a lifeline for small businesses during the long months of Covid lockdown.

Liz, 71, said their success had seen her asked by KMP Solutions, the management company appointed by the new owners of the shopping centre, to set up an outdoor market in the centre in a bid to attract more customers to the area.

But the market founder and organiser she said she was refusing until the recent “threatening and anti-social behaviour” of troublesome teens “terrorising” traders had been addressed.

Speaking at the time, she said: “I’m not going to do it until this issue is sorted.

“I don’t want my vendors or traders being intimated or terrorised with abusive language, being cycled at and having wheelies done in front of them.”

Having previously claimed to have been “followed”, threatened and had her car surrounded by youngsters on bikes, Mrs Boniface said New Ash Green had become a no-go area for many.

She said customers were intimidated in the car park and had verbal abuse hurled at them.

Shops were suffering with bakery owner Shani Manamperi saying business was being severely impacted by the behaviour.

“It’s not a welcoming place anymore,” she said.

But after speaking to KentOnline and calling for an increased police presence and a demand for parents to talk to their teenagers about their behaviour, Mrs Boniface said the situation has completely changed.

“The article had such an impact,” she said. “I have been so impressed. Since then we have seen more of a police presence and not seen hardly any of the kids.

“They have been so subdued and polite. It has been fantastic.”

Mrs Boniface said she has also agreed to do the open air fair as a one-off to “test the waters”.

“It’s so important for attracting shoppers to the area,” she said. “Hopefully it will really help.”

But she said markets are closing up and down the country due to a lack of footfall and the public need to come along and show their support.

“If people come we will run it again,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the centre’s new management company KMP Solutions said they were “thrilled” to be bringing the event to the area.

“We are partnering with NAG Craft Fairs & Markets to host a vibrant open-air market and children's workshop,” she said.

“The event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together, enjoy a variety of unique crafts, and engage in creative activities,.

“An added benefit of hosting such events is the increased foot traffic, which will positively impact our existing tenants by bringing more visitors to the centre.

“Our aim is to create more such events in the future, enriching our community and making the centre a hub of cultural and social activity.”

The open air market, which will take place on August 10, will feature a range of vendors showcasing their handmade goods, while the children's workshop will offer a fun and educational space for kids to express their creativity through hands-on activities.

There is still space for people wanting a stall and organisers are particularly keen to welcome florists, cheese sellers, plant sellers, a hot donut stand, coffee bean sellers, a local brewery and winter sellers and a face painter.

Anyone interested can email nagcraftfairs@zohomail.eu.