Traders at 200 year old market fear ‘Costa or Pret’ will replace them in redevelopment

By Jacob Phillips, Local Democracy Reporter

Westminster’s poorest neighbourhood and one of London’s oldest markets is set to be transformed under plans for 156 new homes.

But traders are frightened they will be replaced by coffee chains if the area goes through big changes.

Church Street residents in Lisson Grove have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the area being revamped.

Westminster City council now plans to rebuild 228 council homes and build at least 156 new homes, plus new shops and community facilities.

The new development will also include new pedestrianised routes and green spaces. There will also be a new library.

But some traders are scared about what regeneration may mean for the area. Church Street Market was once so busy that traders would try and give staff “backhanders to get the best spots”.

But since then the market, which is nearly 200 years old, is now quiet and traders say they are fighting for survival.

Kumru Yazgun, the café manager at 101 Church Street, previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the cafe will be threatened by the oncoming changes.

She said: “They are not going to have any room for us. We like Church Street as it is. There is a community here. They can not give us anything back.

“We could become a Costa or a Pret. The smaller businesses are going to suffer.”

The new properties will provide much-needed homes for Westminster residents, who face waits of up to 20 years for a permanent home.

All the existing council homes will be at social rent levels and over half of homes will be truly affordable, according to the council.

There are 300 new homes being built near Church Street and a further 710 homes under construction just outside the area. The plans also include a new cultural quarter and a new market section.

But existing traders are uncertain about the council’s proposed changes after seeing the market decline.

Tony Dwyer, who grew up in Church Street, first started working in the market on Saturdays when he was a boy in the 1980s.

“When you look back now it was great,” he says. “It was a different era. It’s unrecognisable now. There is no one around anymore. I used to know everyone down here.”

He added: “You used to have a full market. Traders used to fight for stalls on Saturdays. People would try and give the market inspector backhanders to get the best spot. There aren’t many of us left. Now it’s half empty. The quality isn’t what it used to be.”

Councillor Matt Noble, in charge of climate action, regeneration and rents said: “We’re pleased that the majority of residents voted in favour of our Church Street proposals and we’re committed to working with them on co-designing the scheme’s B & C sites.

“This positive result will allow us to build even more social and lower rent homes needed for families in our city so we can create a fairer Westminster for everyone.”

Westminster City council was previously contacted for comment about traders’ fears but did not respond.

Pictured top: Market trader Tony Dwyer (Picture: Jacob Phillips)