Editing Walthamstow (section)

==Economy==
[[File:Walthamstow High Street (geograph 6413556).jpg|thumb|High Street, where the long [[Walthamstow Market]] runs five days a week]]
The High Street is dominated by [[Walthamstow Market]], which began in 1885, and occupies all but the last 100 yards of the street. It is reputed to be a mile long{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}, but in fact measures approximately {{cvt|2/3|mi}}. It is the longest street market in Europe. The market is open five days a week (not Sunday or Monday), and there is a Sunday [[farmers' market]]. The street is lined with shops: a selection of high street chains, but also many independent small shops specialising in food, fabrics, and household goods, as well as cafés. There are two patches of more recent development:  Sainsbury's supermarket and the covered shopping centre [[17&Central]] (originally Selborne Walk, then The Mall Walthamstow, badly damaged by a fire in 2019 and fully restored)<ref>{{cite web |title=17 & Central |url=https://www.17andcentral.co.uk/ |website=17 & Central |access-date=9 March 2024}}</ref> both of which have large multi-storey car parks. 

The historic central library on the High Street was one of many built with money donated by the Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist [[Andrew Carnegie]], whose portrait bust can be seen on the exterior of the building. The library was damaged by a fire in 1982<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/4486372.walthamstow-library-celebrates-100-years/|title=WALTHAMSTOW: Library celebrates 100 years|website=East London and West Essex Guardian Series}}</ref> but modernised and expanded in 2006–07. At the same time, a large plot at the corner of High Street and Hoe Street was set for substantial redevelopment as a retail space. This site was previously the location of the town's central [[post office]] and a shopping arcade built in the 1960s. Plans for the redevelopment of this site initially fell through in 2005, but work on a new cinema, flats and restaurants started in April 2013 and was completed in December 2014.<ref name=arcade-site>{{cite web|title=Walthamstow arcade site|url=http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/pages/servicechild/walthamstow-arcade-site.aspx|publisher=London Borough of Waltham Forest|access-date=2013-06-30|archive-date=1 Jun 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601143635/http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/ServiceChild/Walthamstow-arcade-site.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 2024, there is current refurbishment of the town square and new homes adjacent to the 17&Central shopping centre which is being extended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://walthamforestecho.co.uk/new-tube-station-entrance-planned-at-the-mall/|title=New tube station entrance planned at The Mall|first=Waltham Forest|last=Echo|date=25 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=17 and Central (The Mall redevelopment), Walthamstow {{!}} London Borough of Waltham Forest |url=https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/regeneration-and-growth/regeneration-projects-and-developments/regeneration-walthamstow/17-and-central-mall-redevelopment-walthamstow |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=www.walthamforest.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref>

The ''Walthamstow Beer Mile'', also known as the ''Blackhorse Beer Mile'',<ref>Website describing the W'stow Beer Mile https://www.signaturebrew.co.uk/pages/the-blackhorse-beer-mile-tour-east-london-best-breweries-in-walthamstow-e17#:~:text=The%20Blackhorse%20Beer%20Mile%20is%20located%20in%20Walthamstow,new%20centre%20for%20some%20of%20London%27s%20best%20breweries.</ref> is an attraction consisting of a growing number of micro-breweries, and their associated tap-rooms, in and around Blackhorse Road and Blackhorse Lane.