Historic Ridley Road Market in Hackney Faces Renewed Eviction Threat
Worn-out traders at a vital market in east London are expressing fears of being pushed back into poverty as developers serve them with another eviction notice. The iconic Ridley Road Market, a community hub since the 1880s, is under threat from its offshore landlord, Larochette, who purchased the building in 2016 for £6.5 million.
Landlord Actions and Community Backlash
Larochette, an offshore company, applied to Hackney Council two years after acquisition to convert the indoor building, formerly known as Ridley Road Shopping Village, into luxury flats. Shortly after buying the property, tenants received a police closure order, giving them just two weeks to vacate. This sparked a massive campaign across Hackney and London, successfully halting the eviction at the time.
Now, Larochette has issued a new notice, allowing traders only six weeks to leave. Asli Uygur, a tenant for nine years, stated, 'We are so used to it at this point but exhausted fighting. It feels like we are being punished, but I am a good tenant. It's clear they just want everyone out.'
Historical Significance and Cultural Impact
The market has deep historical roots, originally in a Jewish area where fascist leader Oswald Moseley faced strong resistance from anti-fascists in the 1940s. Today, it serves as a center for Afro-Caribbean businesses and low-cost ethnic produce. Peter Dissi of Lion Paw remarked, 'It feels like managed decline. But this market has its own history and character. Really, it is its own entity.'
Tamara Rabea from the Save Ridley Road campaign emphasized, 'It is not just a place with some stalls. It offers low-cost ethnic produce which you can't just buy in a supermarket. And for many, coming to the market is one of their main forms of socialisation.' Fatama, a fabrics seller, added, 'I've been here nearly 10 years, and now I am feeling so depressed. This will put me backwards into poverty.'
Council Involvement and Police Denials
Hackney Council agreed to take over the lease in 2022, but Larochette required six months for refurbishment, which remains incomplete four years later. Councillor Zoe Garbett noted, 'Ridley Road Market opened in the late 1800s and exists as an ecosystem. It is a centre for Black business and socially significant much-loved place in the heart of Hackney.'
In the eviction letter, Larochette's solicitors claimed the Metropolitan Police advised closure due to anti-social behavior, but police denied this, stating it was the landlord's independent decision. Ms. Garbett accused Larochette of misrepresenting the police's position and failing to take responsibility for redevelopment.
Landlord and Council Statements
Hackney Council acknowledged the closure decision, citing community safety reasons, and pledged support for affected businesses. Rainbow Properties, representing Larochette, asserted no eviction threats were made, only lease expirations, and emphasized the closure aims to ensure a safe trading environment.
Joseph 'Wess', a confectionary shop owner, expressed concern, 'It feels like they are just waiting to turn it into a Starbucks, but we are in the way.' The ongoing struggle highlights tensions between development interests and preserving London's cultural heritage.
