THE borough has lost its second town centre manager in a month, landing council chiefs with the headache of finding replacements.

Greenwich's town centre manager Ian Taitte quit his post on June 16 after 18 months in the job.

His departure comes less than a month after Shawna Stonehouse made a shock exit from the same post in Eltham.

It means Stephanie Butcher, Woolwich's town centre manager, is the only remaining person in one of three coveted positions in the borough.

The double departure in less than a month has left council bosses desperately seeking successors and they are poised to re-advertise the jobs "as soon as practicable".

Mr Taitte's resignation has caused concern among some market traders who are keen to see the vacancy filled quickly.

Chairman of Greenwich Town Centre Traders' Association Rob Toogood said: "Greenwich Council should have got somebody in place as soon as it knew Ian was leaving.

"Before Ian started his post two years ago we were without a proper town centre manager for around 18 months.

"He was very proactive and we don't want things to start losing momentum."

Vice chairman of the Greenwich Town Centre Management Agency John Burton, who is responsible for renting stalls to market traders, said: "I've seen a lot of town centre managers in my time and Ian was one of the best.

"Ian held things together and without a manager things tend to lose focus and this is a problem."

Mr Taitte started a new post as town centre manager at Wandsworth Council on June 19.

During his 18-month stint he was responsible for East and West Greenwich as well as the Cutty Sark Gardens.

He was behind a host of events during his time in Greenwich, including last year's Christmas parade around the town centre.