In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Southwark Council narrowly approved the construction of the ambitious Borough Triangle project, which will see the demolition of a vibrant food hall and other historical buildings in south London to make way for nearly 900 new homes.
The development, sprawling over an area equivalent to one and a half football pitches, will feature residential towers, with the tallest reaching 44 storeys.
This major redevelopment will result in the displacement of the Mercato Metropolitano food court, which has been a focal point of the community for the past nine years, along with the demolition of the century-old Institute of Optometry and a former papermaking factory.
While a new food hall is included in the plans, the transition period will force most of the 40 traders to seek temporary locations, with Berkeley Homes committing to rehouse up to 12 vendors nearby during construction.
Additionally, the scheme encompasses an office block, a flexible café or retail space, and a new community centre anticipated to be managed by a Latin American group.
It also promises to create 1,780 square metres of public space, preserving local heritage with the retention of a former Baptist church and the façade of an adjacent building at 82 and 83 Borough Road, respectively.
To mitigate the impact on the local workforce, Berkeley has earmarked £200,000 for a business relocation fund to assist some of the 423 employees affected by the redevelopment, including those from the food court, the London School of Musical Theatre, the Institute of Optometry, and a vehicle hire firm.
Local resident Nina Wessel expressed her concerns about the closure of Mercato Metropolitano, noting, “Over the last nine years, this market has become the heart of our community.”
The development thus stands as a testament to the ongoing tensions between urban development and community preservation in London.
