Beloved food hall to be closed after nine years as locals bemoan loss of ‘heart of our community’

A TREASURED food hall in the centre of London is set to be razed to the ground to build 900 new homes.

The Mercato Metropolitano food court, which has been central to the local community for nearly a decade, will be bulldozed after a controversial redevelopment scheme was greenlit on Wednesday.

Southwark Council disregarded fierce local opposition, citing the urgency of building new homes in the borough.

At least forty businesses will have to relocate, with only twelve set to be rehoused in temporary spaces.

Developer Berkley Homes is stumping up £200,000 in support of the 423 workers predicted to be affected by the move.

Several historic buildings will be demolished, including the locally listed 100-year-old Institute of Optometry and a former papermaking factory.

A local resident described how the market had become the “heart of our community.”;

Nina Wessel told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “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].

“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.”

Developer Berkely has been the go-ahead for its contentious scheme despite virulent local opposition.

Placards at a protest outside Southwark town hall during the vote branded the council's decision to demolish the Latin-themed market as racist and profiteering.

One read: “Stand up to racism in south London.”;

Another read: “Homes for people, not for profit, stop overdevelopment.”

Nas Costomano accused councillor Richard Livingstone of “dividing Southwark like his personal fiefdom.”;

The project is expected to take nine years, with building running from 2026 to 2034, costing over £600m.

Designed by architect Maccreanor Lavington, two of the four blocks will rise to 38 and 44 stories, respectively.

Over a third of the new homes, 35%, will be affordable housing with 230 homes either for social rental or shared ownership tenures.

A replacement food hall is part of the design, but until it’s finished, only 12 traders will be rehoused nearby.

An office block, flexible cafe and new community centre for a Latin American group are also included in the designs.

Councillor Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, defended the decision.

She said: “We urgently need more affordable homes for local people, and despite the many complexities around this site, I am pleased we have secured a policy-compliant affordable housing offer – at 35% affordable, including 25% social rent homes.

“That will deliver 153 homes for Southwark families on the housing waiting lists, which are desperately needed.

“The development will also deliver a 5,000 sq ft new community centre earmarked for the Latin American community and a new home for Mercato Metropolitano.”;

She also claimed that the council had earmarked £1 million to mitigate the impact on the residents of the nearby Scovell Estate.