Hanging by a thread | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

Approaching Victoria Park Market down the "Celebrity Walk", customers pass rows of famous New Zealanders' handprints. Some are chipped at the edges and those of Sir Robert Muldoon and Sir Edmund Hillary are almost worn away.

The market seems quiet and sad and the floor looks to need repair.

Recently, and especially since the Aotea Square Markets were closed, numerous boutique markets have sprung up around the city such as the new Sale Street Market, selling colourful arts and jewellery. Elliott Stables Epicurean Village has a European flavour and Kraftbomb in Grey Lynn blends youthful exuberance and indie styles with traditional crafts.

These markets have the vibrancy that once filled Victoria Park Market. Now the famous yellow-brick chimney looms over  stalls that haven't been opened in months.

The Aucklander met a group of tourists visiting the market for a last bout of souvenir shopping before they returned to New South Wales. "It would be a shame [to lose the market]," says Debbie.

The market struggles to draw tourists.

Three unhappy tenants said that  "the buses don't come here anymore". However, some tenants vow to stick it out. "It's like a family," says one.

The market could have been rejuvenated by a $120 million redevelopment initiated in 2008. But that plan has stalled and three traders claim David Henderson's Kitchener Group has put nothing into the market for a long time.

"They've killed it," said a tenant who wanted to remain anonymous.

Mr Henderson says if he "could wave a magic wand" he would, but the redevelopment takes money. "There are always going to be people that are unhappy. But we are on really good terms with 95 per cent of the market."

Another concern is the physical deterioration of the place.

Bricks at the base of the disused destructor chimney crumble at a touch and uneven brickwork can be seen further up.

Building consent for strengthening work was granted in February 2007, but never started.

Mr Henderson says the work is dangerous and half the market would need to close, but preservation work will go ahead soon. The tenants have been told it will begin on April 1 but some remain sceptical.

"We have to take everything they say with a pinch of salt," says one.

However, Mr Henderson says the work will begin in April - or May - this year.

If the work does go ahead as promised perhaps the market's days of glory are not yet confined to history books.