Today saw the return of Brixton Village and Market Row.
We’ve seen a wave of outdoor markets throwing open their doors recently, and Brixton Market joined the crowd earlier today. Though some market traders have been offering fresh produce and essentials throughout the lockdown, from today all shops in Brixton Village and Market Row are able to begin trading again, which should see the return of fashion, beauty, and homeware outlets.
As with pretty much every other market in town, Brixton Market will trade somewhat differently from today. There are new signs and floor markings in place to help ensure social distancing, and increased security measures have also been put in place. Meanwhile, landlords for the area, Hondo Enterprises, have given all traders in the market a three-month rent holiday, which can either be utilised now, or applied retrospectively to the previous three months.
It’s not all good news on this front, however; Hondo Enterprises has been making headlines recently for attempting to evict beloved local shop Nour Cash & Carry at the end of next month, in order to make room for an electricity sub-station. As a crucial fixture of the market – not to mention a “vital resource to ethnic and immigrant communities selling low cost, high end groceries”, per a petition trying to save it – going up against a multi-millionaire owner, the shop’s campaign to stay open has been picked up by a number of celebrity names.
It’s family-run, independent businesses like this which give Brixton Market so much of its appeal, so do lend the petition a hand if you can – and then head on down to the market to support so many more wonderful traders.