Walking through the market, and up by Atlantic road, the feeling is exclusive. Brixton is a community of cultures, tied together by decades, and a blissful state of congruence. Slabs of meat, fruit and veg, Tupperware, tattoos and 100 wigs. Make-up in every shade, shoes under a fiver, famed fabrics and selection of lighters. But this may all be in jeopardy.
In partnership with Lambeth Council, landlords Network Rail plan to redevelop the railway arches that stand at the very heart of the community. Many businesses that house the archways will be vacated, some never to return.
A & C Co. Continental Grocers have served Brixton for 25 years. In six months’ time they will abandon the shop they have had through the best and worst of times. “It’s really gutting” says Bella, who has been at the grocers since the very beginning. “We were here when no one else would step foot in Brixton. We’ve been through it all: riots, drug dealers lined up every 10 yards” she says. “And now that it’s all nice, it’s like “Oh, cheers for that. Now get out.”
The plans have triggered widespread attention. In just a week, an online petition drew in almost 17,000 signatures, whilst media exposure mushroomed from local news coverage to mainstream reportage. “I think it’s really exploded and grabbed a lot of people’s interests because of the David and Goliath aspect of it,” says Bella, who is more than appreciative of the support.
“And now that it’s all nice, it’s like “Oh, cheers for that. Now get out.”
The proposed plans, which will cost up to £10m, aim to improve the “condition, quality and commercial attractiveness of the arches for the occupiers” in order to attract customers and expand the local economy. “The crucial point is, the renovation is going to take about a year. We don’t have the money to set up anywhere else” says Bella.
Network Rail have said that between now and the vacation, “where possible”, they will help businesses find new spaces. However, A & C have not been notified about any aid with moving elsewhere. A & C will receive a year’s rateable value and statutory minimum of £7,000 for the inconvenience.
“A fishmonger’s fridge is 50 grand” says Bella. “So it’s impossible. You can’t set up a shop.”
Network Rail have said that the redeveloped arches will house a mixture of old and new businesses. “Initially, they made it quite clear it would be an open market and we would have to apply to come back” says Bella. “Because of the bad publicity and the sheer energy of it, they came down today and said that when the renovation is done we would have the first option.”
However Bella is worried about growing rent prices in the area:“I know for a fact the rent will be at least triple what we’re paying now.” Network rail have said rents will increase to parallel the new value of the arches. Businesses will be zoned in relation to their footfall and location, with those in “prime locations” paying “premium rents”.
“I know for a fact the rent will be at least triple what we’re paying now.”
Bella fears these increased rents will only be affordable for large chains. “Wagamamma are coming in” says Bella. “We knew as soon as they came in that our days were numbered; they will just go for the highest bidder. It will ruin Brixton. They don’t care. We’re just a unit number.”
José, the owner of the grocers, is equally upset about the changes: “It’s all about squeezing the last penny that they can out of this development, it’s quite shameful. You don’t have to be so greedy.”
Mohammad works a few minutes down the road at Beauty Choice Cosmetics, a business specialising in wigs and Afro and European beauty products. Mohammad has not yet received a notice, but his business’ position under the bridge is of concern. “We’ve worked so hard to establish the business; we’ve been here more than 13 years” says Mohammad. “We don’t mind them redeveloping it but we want to get our business back. Otherwise, where are we going to go? We’re going to be jobless.” Mohammad is also unsure of where customers will go if the shops catering to different cultures are replaced with generic chains:
“If they changed businesses around here to another kind – where are people going to go? Locals have bought from these shops for years and years. If they don’t find what they want, it will affect the customers and businesses.”
The renovation of the arches will begin in late 2015, meanwhile Brixton’s eminent arches will be shut for up to a year.
