"Lewisham Shopping Centre plan will kill our market," traders fear

Lewisham traders fear plans to redevelop the shopping centre into flats could “kill” the iconic market.

Landsec – the owner of Lewisham Shopping Centre – has applied for permission to demolish the site and transform it into more than 1,700 homes.

Only 98 of the flats have been set aside for social rent. Landsec is also requesting permission to redevelop the mall.

Although some traders are backing the vision, others are concerned it could destroy the magic of the market.

South East London People’s Assembly branded the plans for the “luxury flats” as “a blueprint for gentrification” and launched a petition against them.

More than 770 people have signed the petition in the past month.

Market trader Kim, 66, told the Lewisham Letter: “If they build these flats it it will kill these markets.

**PICTURED: The plans for Lewisham Shopping Centre (the market traders will be under the canopy bottom right)**

“They aren’t council flats. If you can afford a rented apartment for £1,500 a month you aren’t going to want to buy a pound a bowl.”

Another trader, Abdulah Achakzai, echoed Kim’s views. He said: “I’m against the plan.

“We don’t want any changes here. We don’t want posh or luxurious shops. If you get posh shops it will get more expensive.

“At the moment I pay £1,300 a month. I don’t want my rent to be increased.

“The beauty of the market right now, you’re not going to see it in the future. It’s going to be more boring.”

**PICTURED: Abdulah Achakzai is against the plans**

However, Jay Price, whose family have been selling on the market for 80 years, backed the project.

He said: “I don’t think we will be driven out if the flats are expensive. We can cater to new customers.

“And how can it hurt me having almost 2,000 more people walking past my stall every day?”

However, Mr Price was unimpressed by the council’s ongoing improvement works to the high street.

He said: “They’re months behind schedule. We don’t even have any running water.”

**PICTURED: The broken water standpipe on the high street**

He pointed out that one of the new water standpipes set up by the council has already broken.

Lewisham Council’s strategic planning committee will vote on the first of the shopping centre plans on Thursday.

The initial stage of the plan – the first of three – proposes the construction of two blocks of flats, with up to 23 and 15 floors respectively.

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“Lewisham Shopping Centre plan will kill our market,” traders fear

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