Relocated traders map

After the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre closed on 24 September 2020, following over six years of campaigning for the rights of small independent traders, we were drawn by mixed feelings as we acknowledge many local traders were left without relocation for whom we still continue to advocate for alternative spaces.

On the other hand, we feel proud to have held developers Delancey and Southwark Council accountable throughout this long process. Every single concession was fought for tooth and nail, with the retention of small businesses in the main relocation sites, the Relocation Fund, the cap in the rents and many other gains were all a result of our advocacy work together with the traders – many of whom resumed trading in their new units in Elephant and Castle the very next day following the closure of the Centre.

After having been heavily involved in the planning process, we are also concerned with the impact and ripple effect this development could have for the Elephant community and in particular for the Latin American community and the younger generations, as we still envisage Elephant and Castle officially becoming Latin Quarter in the UK.

BEHIND THE FIGURES

During the last months prior to the closure of the Centre, there were around 80-90 small independent traders trading inside the so-called ‘red line’.

Despite strong evidence presented by Latin Elephant, Southwark Council and Developers Delancey acknowledged around 70 independent businesses trading before closure.

Following our advocacy work, nearly 50 displaced traders were relocated immediately after closure of the Centre in September 2020, a figure that has varied according to different personal circumstances during the last years.

On top of these,

Over 60 long-standing Latin American businesses continue to thrive in Elephant & Castle
Other displaced traders are still negotiating premises in the area
Around 15-20 displaced traders remained without a space.

All in all, E&C still hosts 100+ Black, Latin American and racialised traders and businesses, which have been serving the local community for over 30 years!