London food hall filled with small businesses to be knocked down for 900 flats
A food court which has served Londoners for almost a decade is being knocked down to make way for nearly 900 new homes.
The Borough Triangle development scheme, which was approved on Wednesday, will see around 900 homes built in Southwark.
A number of buildings will be bulldozed, including the the 100-year-old locally listed Institute of Optometry and a former papermaking factory home to the Mercato Metropolitano food court.
Some 40 businesses at the site will now have to move – with only 12 set to be rehoused in temporary accommodation.
Berkeley Homes, the company carrying out the development, has set aside £200,000 to support some of the 423 workers who have to relocate.
But resident Nina Wessel said the closure of Mercato Metropolitano would be devastating for the local community.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: ‘Over the last nine years this market Mercato Metropolitano has become the heart of our community.
‘It now attracts over 600,000 yearly visitors, provides safe and inclusive spaces and offers activities for children and adults alike.
‘The traders provide jobs, support families and sustain the local economy.
‘This isn’t just a market. It’s a key reason people want to live here.’
Andrea Ferrario, who runs German Kraft Brewery, a beer stall within the food court, said: ‘People have between six to 12 months [leases at Mercato Metropolitano].
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‘That’s not enough to establish your business and to give it the security to continue.
‘Having a longer lease, it will help you to establish your business, build your clientèle.’
Councillor Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes, said: ‘The development will also deliver a 5,000sqft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for Mercato Metropolitano.
‘Through discussions with the developers we have also earmarked a contribution of £1 million to mitigate some of the impacts on residents of the neighbouring Scovell Estate.’
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