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Axing market 'will rip the guts out of Brixton'
Peter Dominiczak13 Mar 2009
One of London's most famous markets could be demolished and turned into a West End-style shopping precinct, campaigners warned today.
Brixton Market is to undergo a massive redevelopment by its new owners, the developer London & Associated Properties, despite massive opposition from residents and traders.
The developer has already faced an outcry over its plans to redevelop the Antiquarius market in the King's Road.
Campaigners claim its latest move will put up to 140 jobs at risk and threatens to "rip the guts out of Brixton".
A central part of the market, Granville Arcade, is facing destruction and campaigners fear the stalls in Market Row will also be put out of business.
Traders and politicians have launched a last-ditch legal battle to save the market, which has been running since the 1870s, and are appealing to have it listed on historical grounds. They will hold a demonstration at the market tomorrow which will attended by local MP and government minister Tessa Jowell. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has agreed to review the listing application.
Ms Jowell, said: "Brixton's markets are intrinsic to the historic and architectural bones of the town. We cannot afford to let them go." London Assembly member Valerie Shawcross for Lambeth and Southwark, said: "If we let this vital market get demolished, it would rip the guts out of Brixton. The character of Brixton is entirely set by the market, which is also an important part of London's history."
Alex Holland, 26, chairman of the Friends of Brixton Market, said: "One of the most individual places in London could be lost for good."
Sources said London & Associated Properties intends to replace the stalls with "West End-style high-end retail stores". The firm has pulled out of its unpopular plans to build a 10-storey, 111-apartment block over the market in nearby Granville Arcade. It was unavailable for comment.
Reader views (16)
Seven Sisters indoor market has also received an adverse planning decision by Harringay Council who are allowing Grainger PLC to replace it with a 'landmark' building (in reality a bland modern block of flats and shops) 'that will enhance the area' (read sap the soul out of 7 Sis). This was done despite massive opposition by the local community and the fact that it will destroy the liviehoods and businesses of many traders that are based there.
London has sold out to the bland and unifying Nando's, Tesco Metro, Sainsburys Local and M&S chain brigade. Over and above the opposition by resident communities it is also saping the uniqueness out of these neighbourhoods at a time when the Capital should be seeking to optimize the special appeal of these treasured markets and neighbourhoods. As a non British person I can vouch for the fact that they add so much to the place. Think of the comparision with Italy, France, Spain, etc.
We'll regret them when they are gone. Hindsight is always a good advisor. And shame on Boris Johnson for allowing the pillage to be carried out in the name of 'improvement'.
- Will Lemieux, London Uk, 14/03/2009 01:45
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do they not realise its only 10 minutes to oxford street from brixton on the victoria line?! I dont understand the obsession with shopping in this city, not everyone wants 'west end style shops' on their doorstep, stop gentrifying the gems of our city!
- A, south london, 14/03/2009 00:44
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Over the sixty years that I have lived, on and off, in London there is little that Westminster and the City councils have done to improve the City.
The Government did bring in the clean air act but apart from that it has been Householders and Businesses which have been the catalyst for good improvement and change.
The Councils? They are rsonsible for trahing major parts of old Victorian London and uglifying great portions of a once beautiful city instead.
- Minnie Ovens, London, UK, 13/03/2009 18:24
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I'm not sure what's happening here. First Camden market is deemed scabby and is to be scrapped and then Brixton. The big difference between the two is that Brixton market serves a really big cross-section of the local population and the individual stalls make the character of the market. The fact that units in a shopping precinct will cost more to rent means that many of the traditional stalls will not transfer, thus killing a lot of individuality that makes the market.
Although it is virtually impossible to understand potential take up should the project go ahead, the paucity of visitors to the Westfield development in Shepherds Bush would suggest that any change in Brixton should be very carefully considered, as there is a very real danger of creating a dead zone.
And should London & Associated Properties really want to alienate more people, then they ought to look at trying to harmonise Shepherd Bush market, another area of great character.
- Matthew, london, 13/03/2009 18:15
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Brixton is not the only market facing closure - Greenwich is closing the larger part of its weekend Antiques market and Southwark is closing its flea market in Westmoreland Road. The old antiques venue at Bermondsey has already been reduced to a postage stamp sized area, thanks to Southwark council. Considering we are having the worst depression/recession/slump since the 1930s, can anyone explain why councils are not only allowing but ENCOURAGING so called "developers" who kill off the old style market and replace them with high rent retail units thagt nobody can afford?
- Lynn, London, 13/03/2009 17:43
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This is obviously a poor joke that has come 19 days too early. It is not 1st April. Stop teasing us with jokes about ruining our market.
- P, Streatham Hill, 13/03/2009 16:18
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Are Councillors and Politicians ever going to take their heads out of the sand?
Don’t they know that we are facing a devastating economic crisis and that all over Britain Shops are closing down and being boarded up.
We will need these Market Places more than ever as we must have somewhere we can all afford to shop, not just somewhere for the rich such as Oxford Street etc.
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset, 13/03/2009 14:01
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Brixton is an example to the world. While every other part of the developed world faces economic meltdown, apparently this part of south London is immune - so much so that some developers are planning to build a shopping centre which they confidently expect to fill with retailers and shoppers. Hurrah!
- Austen, London, 13/03/2009 13:49
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They can't!!
- Susie, London, 13/03/2009 13:04
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one of the few fruit/veg markets left as I remember. For goodness' sake, what's happened to common sense ???
- Marianne, SW France, 13/03/2009 12:43
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I can't find any reference to the "demonstration" tomorrow mentioned in the article anywhere else, for example on the Friends of Brixton Market website. Is the information in the article correct?
- Colin, Brixton, 13/03/2009 12:22
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The thing to do if this goes ahead is take the tube to the other end of the Victoria line and shop at Walthamstow market.
- Jf, London, 13/03/2009 12:04
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The market may not be 'posh' by anyone's standards but it serves the community. Why don't the developers ask local people what they want, instead of thrusting their seemingly entirely inappropriate vision on the people that actually live in the area and use the market on a regular basis.
There are some useful shops along that little road, and I'd much rather have the shops that are there stay there than some glitzy overpriced shops that last about 6 months before the owners decide profit isn't high enough, then end up boarded up and covered in graffiti sporting a 'golfrate' sign.
Much could be done to improve the character and environment of central Brixton by the tube station, sure - like more bins, some seating and trees - but replacing the existing shops with entirely inapproprate ones most certainly is not part of it.
Sure, it has good transport links - so common sense says that if Brixtonites want 'west end style shopping' it would be less destructive to the area to simply let them hop on the tube or a bus and GO TO THE WEST END! That's what it's there for, after all...
- Andrew, Brixton Hill, 13/03/2009 11:09
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I amm appalled that this plan is even being considered. Brixton market is part of my childhood and I DON'T want to see it demolished. Brixton IS its market.
- Angry Of Alton, Alton UK, 13/03/2009 10:56
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I can't believe Lambeth Council is standing idly by while the destruction of Brixton market is announced. Have I missed something, or is there still such a thing as a local authority in this country?
- Bloke, London, 13/03/2009 10:16
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Does the cinema there still stand? If so then that should be listed as a historic building for the first cinema to get electicity.
- Tony Islander, Herts, 13/03/2009 09:56
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