Queensway Market's closure threatens decades of London's local businesses
Queensway Market's closure threatens decades of London's local businesses
Queensway Market's closure threatens decades of London's local businesses
Queensway Market in central London is set to close later this year, putting dozens of small businesses at risk. The shutdown follows plans by landlord Bourne Capital to redevelop the site, potentially replacing it with a Whole Foods Market run by Amazon. Traders now face eviction after years of serving the local community.
Many have worked there for over a decade, and nearly 3,000 people have signed a petition to stop the closure.
The market, established in the 1990s, houses around 40 family-run businesses, including restaurants, fabric shops, tech repair stores, and a small mosque. Luai Gabani, who has operated a tech repair shop for 24 years, described the market as a unique and essential part of the community. He also runs the mosque inside the market, used by local shopkeepers and workers, which will soon move to a smaller space.
Shopkeepers were originally told to leave by 23 April, though some received extensions. Despite this, half of the market will still shut in May. Mostafa Lotfi, a Persian carpet specialist with 14 years in the market, fears the loss of cultural heritage if the site closes. George Cubillos, who runs the Latin Centre charity from the market, has spent 22 years supporting people from different countries and is now leading efforts to keep the market open. Esam Ibrahim, a fabric seller since 2015, specialises in high-quality printed and embroidered voile, a fine Swiss cotton. Bourne Capital, the landlord behind the eviction plans, has not responded to requests for comment. The petition against the closure calls for the company to abandon its redevelopment and protect the traders’ livelihoods.
The closure of Queensway Market would displace long-standing businesses and alter the character of the area. Traders now await a decision on the petition, while the future of the site remains uncertain. If the plans proceed, Amazon’s Whole Foods Market could replace the independent shops that have served the community for decades.