Tooting Market traders fear being ‘pushed out’ by rent rises

Traders in Tooting market have raised concerns over management after a series of rent rises which they claim are “pushing” businesses out of their long-time homes.

Ernest Nelson-Homiah, 67, who has run Maat African Art from Tooting Market for 13 years, was locked out of his unit last month after refusing to pay a 75 per cent rent increase.

He has now been forced to leave the market, having spent the past month moving his property into storage. 

The businessman, who made a name for himself for his sale of unique tribal artworks, faced a £350-per-week charge, up from £200 per week from market operator Palas Properties Ltd in August 2024.

According to Palas Properties, Mr Nelson-Homiah had “historically” paid low rent and the rise intended to bring his rate in line with other traders running units of a similar size.

Unlike previous rent adjustments over his tenancy, which were negotiated, Mr Nelson-Homiah said he found out about the rent rise after an “alarming” notice was taped to his shopfront.

He said: “There were no dates on the notice, no address or anything. It was just a threat.

“The rent rise was way too much for me to pay. Then they locked me out of my shop. It’s not right.”

After he refused to pay the initial increase the operators said they attempted to lower the rate to £250 per week, which was also refused.

Having lost his only form of income, Mr Nelson-Homiah said: “We all know what is happening here, it feels like there is gentrification.

“People who can’t afford the rent rises get pushed out. Management moves in bigger traders who can afford these prices so they get more money.”

Palas Properties refute these allegations.

Responding to the news that Tooting Market would be losing Maat African Art, residents took to social media to express their concern.

One wrote, “Ernest I’m gutted to hear of your rent rise, which is ridiculously high”, whilst another warned the market “will simply be food courts soon”, describing the closure as “another one biting the bitter dust of gentrification”.

A food trader, who asked not to be named, left Tooting market last November after facing a 42 per cent rent increase in August.

Speaking to the South London Press, she said: “We got two weeks notice and then our rent went up.

“Some people had a 10 per cent increase but I had more than 40 per cent. I couldn’t afford it.

“I wouldn’t mind such a high increase if I knew the money was going to be put into promoting the market but I didn’t see that happening.

“The market is struggling but mangement didn’t want to listen so I decided to leave.”

A spokesman from Palas Properties said the rent increases were brought in after “considerable thought” as to the location and size of the units throughout the market.

He said: “We balanced the costs charged to the Totterdown Street market traders—who operated in gazebos and without the benefit of being inside the market, as well as other food operators within the market.

‘Tooting Market has reinvested much of its income over the last 15 years into redeveloping and curating the market from what it was into what it has become.

“This includes an entirely new section with 13 units and world class gym. We have cleared the middle section to create a communal area that is a natural gathering point for the community and users of the market. We have installed heating and cooling inside the market and recently upgraded many of the hidden infrastructure points that service the market.”

Mr Nelson-Homiah has set up a GoFundMe page following his eviction, to donate Click Here.

Pictured top: Ernest Nelson-Homiah has closed Maat African Art after 13 years in Tooting Market (Picture: Tooting Newsie)