Celebrations as Seven Sisters Market finally reopens after five years

Affectionately known as ‘Latin Village’ the market was closed in 2020 but is now back trading in a temporary space

Council leader Peray Ahmet and Tottenham MP David Lammy cut the ribbon on Seven Sisters Market (credit Places for London)

Traders have returned to Seven Sisters Market for the first time in five years.

At an official reopening event for what is affectionately dubbed ‘Latin Village’ thanks to its wide range of South American stalls, Tottenham MP David Lammy said it was “wonderful” to see the market back trading.

“This special location is a hub for our community here in Tottenham and I am pleased to see the Latin American culture and community being particularly central to the development,” said the Labour MP.

“I urge everyone to come and experience this wonderful example of London’s diversity and culture through the people, great food and services to be found here.”

Council leader Peray Ahmet was also at the event and said: “The reopening of the market is another huge moment for the Latin American community in our borough.

“It is a remarkable achievement and testament most of all to the resilience and tireless campaigning of the market traders.

“When I took over as leader of Haringey Council in May 2021, I was determined that the community’s voice would be heard. It’s been a long journey, but I’m delighted that this iconic cultural landmark is back in business.

“It is vital the market’s future as well as the Wards Corner site is also driven forward by the community, and we will continue to collaborate with them and TfL on their long-term plans for the area.”

Seven Sisters Market had been closed since the start of the pandemic in 2020, at first because of lockdown rules, but then over fears around the safety of the building. It came at a time when there was a long-term plan to completely rebuild the Ward’s Corner site, with developer Grainger working on the project in conjunction with site owner Transport for London (TfL).

However, plans to redevelop the site and build 196 new homes became highly controversial locally, with some traders claiming it threatened their livelihoods. The scheme was eventually ditched in 2021 when Grainger cited “legal challenges” and “significant delays” to the project.

Following the collapse of the redevelopment, in 2022 the council began working on a “community plan” to reopen the market with input from local people and traders.

Faced with economic struggles and a decaying building, the new Wards Corner Community Benefit Society entered talks with Places for London, TfL’s property arm, to obtain the lease for the market and start restoring it.

That work has finally led to the reopening of the market, following critical safety works to the structure, although the wider plans for Wards Corner will take more time to develop.

To get the market to reopen, the Mayor of London and TfL made £2million available to ensure that traders were protected and the site could “move forward positively for the benefit of local community”.

During the substantial works needed to build the new temporary market, Places for London engaged with traders and the council to agree a scheme that meets their needs. It now features 40 new indoor and outdoor stalls with a new seating area and customer toilets. The brightly-coloured outdoor market also opens up a new route between Suffield Road and Seven Sisters Road, helping to improve access for the community to and from the market and the nearby Victoria Line station.

The day-to-day operations at the market are being run by Market Place, with staff on site to “ensure all is running smoothly and that locals and traders can get the best out of the new site”.

The newly reopened Seven Sisters Market (credit Places for London)

To help ease traders back, Places for London is giving tenants reduced rents from the first 15 months and fitted units. Work continues to “bring the market back to life”, and Places for London will also provide business support to ensure the traders succeed with the reopening of their businesses.

Trader Vicky Alvarez said: “The opening of the Seven Sisters Market marks a new chapter of growth and opportunity for the Latin American community.

“It is a testament to our resilience. We have worked very hard to continue, and we couldn’t be prouder to share these fantastic news that will empower and uplift our communities in Tottenham.”

Meanwhile, Wards Corner Community Benefit Society is establishing a mixed-use space for intergenerational learning and celebration that supports the resilience of traders and serves as a “point of engagement for the future of the market”.

Elena Escalante from Wards Corner Community Benefit Society said: “We are so thrilled to be back in the historical Wards Corner site, home to one of the most remarkable community movements of this century.

“We are proud to have been critically supporting our traders as they return, and to now be running the community space within the newly restored market, offering an ambitious programme covering social services, cultural exchange activities and intergenerational events rooted in the market’s culture.

“This is step one of our community plan.”

Nick Rhodes, chief executive of Market Place, said: “The market is a truly unique, offering an abundance of culture, vibrancy and colour. I am sure the market will be a tremendous attraction for people of the community and afar.

“The market opening is a culmination of some tremendous hard work by all parties and the market will soon become a key and popular retail destination.”

Find out more about the new Seven Sisters Market:
Visit placesforlondon.co.uk/projects/seven-sisters-market

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