Cockney market traders have branded a forthcoming television bid to save the Roman Road in Bow, Tower Hamlets, as “well meaning” but only of benefit to her own career.



They said she “waltzed” into the area, tried to boss them about with “tired” ideas, then disappeared once the cameras had stopped filming for a show that is due to air later this month.



Two months on, the road is quieter than ever, and one stallholder said: “She bought me a new money belt, but there’s no money in it.”



Ms Portas is currently overseeing a number of high street regeneration schemes, having been appointed a government guru on the subject by David Cameron.



While “the Roman” is not one of her Portas Pilots, she decided to help the road because of its history and potential.



Once a thriving fashion destination for east London and large stretches of Essex, it is now a sad shadow of its former self.



The market, with more than 150 pitches, is held three days a week, but these only serve to hide the sorry state of the shop fronts visible the rest of the time.



The road is now dotted with pawnbrokers, high interest money lenders and low grade fast food bars, but just a few hundred yards away lies a reminder of what could lie in store.



Looking east, the twin sights of the Olympic Stadium and the Orbit tower above, a reminder of the legacy and new neighbourhoods that will come when the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opens over the next couple of years.



However, the traders on the Roman, named after a stretch of an old Roman road that is believed to have run nearby, fear a lack of vision from council planners could see them lose out.



On the other hand, Ms Portas and other local groups who are trying to regenerate the area worry the traders are weary, stubborn and oblivious to a changing and more affluent demographic in the area.



They say a clash with assertive Ms Portas was always likely.



Welcomed by shoppers, the celebrity arrived last November, bringing with her a team of researchers and producers for her Channel 4 show.



She told shopkeepers “it all looks the same here”, pointing out that stall after stall was selling similar low cost women’s clothes, perfume and underwear.



So she encouraged trendy new “street food” stalls from other parts of London to pitch up, as did a mysterious home-made fashion jeweller—who traders say has not been seen since.



Ms Portas picked out Annette Richardson for a special makeover, giving her pitch a new red tarpaulin sheet, glitzy lights and an artily designed leather sign bearing the name of her stall, Inspired.