Ridley Road Market, operational for over 140 years and often referred to as the “heart and soul of Dalston”, is now just a fragment of its former glory.
Having served the Dalston community for over a century, Ridley Road market embodies the area’s rich history of immigration and cultural diversity.
However, in recent years, it has become difficult to survive as a trader. With sky-rocketing rent, rising expenses and dwindling footfall, many traders are worried about what the future holds for them and the market itself.
“I can’t see us being here in five years, we will be gone.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
David, owner of ‘Mr Clark’s shoes’ and a trader at Ridley Road for over 13 years, speaks about how the community surrounding the market has changed, forcing traders to rebrand in order to survive.
David: “The migrant community this market was tailored for can’t afford to live in the area anymore… all the traders have to rebrand to fit the new locals, but the process is slow… I’ve been here a long time, I’ve seen the change of this market and of Hackney as a whole, there’s a massive re-gentrification happening all around us.”
“It’s sad to see the market now compared to what it used to be. People used to be cramped together like sardines because it was so busy, now its basically a ghost town.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
When asked about what is causing the struggles for traders, David is quick to point at higher powers.
David: “Our struggles as traders are not down to us, its down to powers higher than us… Hackney Council only care about the money… I’ve been trading here for 13 years and in that time it has got worse every year, never better, only more expensive.”
“Everything is more expensive now, we can’t keep up.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
David isn’t alone in feeling this way. Ganesh, a fishmonger at ‘Chaudry Fishers’ on Ridley Road, says big brands are stealing customers and undercutting them:
Ganesh: “This market used to be too busy, now we have the opposite issue, people don’t come here anymore, it’s nearly empty.”
“Markets used to be a place to get fresh, cheap food. Now we are getting priced out by almost every supermarket… we are unable to keep up with them whilst covering our expenses.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
“This market used to be in service of the migrant communities surrounding it over time; muslims, jewish people, west-indians… now many of them have had to leave.”
“The rent for my small apartment and for this market stall as well have more than doubled in my time here… I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.”
“I have no future here, I do this for my family.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
Greg, who has been selling spices and dried fish at the market for over 45 years, displayed little hope for the market and traders as a whole across London.
“The difference in trade is from here to the sky… this market is almost unrecognisable compared to when I started… we just survive now.”
“Markets used to be the fashion, now they are finished… with this market, as things have got worse; more empty, more rundown, its beginning to attract the wrong sorts of crowds… crime is increasing.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
When asked about the future, Greg had very little to say.
“I don’t have a future, I’m 75 years old… I just want to supply for my family, if thats here or somewhere else, I don’t really care if im honest… of course I would love for the market to be good again, but im losing hope.”
Ridley Road epitomises the many issues plaguing traditional markets across London. With the backdrop of legendary markets like Smithfield and Billingsgate closing in the coming years, it is understandable why traders feel uneasy. Rising costs, undercutting from larger establishments and little support for traders, means modern times are becoming increasingly hostile towards market owners. It is unclear how long this market can persevere without further support.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “Ridley Road Market is one of the most vibrant in East London and is the heart and soul of Dalston and we remain committed to safeguarding its long-term future.
“Visits to the market are not dwindling – in fact they are increasing. From the latest data on footfall Dalston town centre receives around 59,000 visitors per day (meaning 21.4 million visits annually). Ridley Road accounts for around 11,000 visitors per day. Last year this equated to more than 4 million visits during the year. This is an 88% increase from the period following the Covid pandemic.
“In April, we launched the Dalston Plan, which provides planning guidance for any new development in Dalston. This ensures any new development on Ridley Road will not result in the loss of street market pitches, and is sensitive to the needs of both the local economy and the local community.
“This work is in addition to the £1.5million joint investment in the market and local area in 2023 by Hackney Council and the Mayor of London creating improved facilities for traders and better public spaces throughout the market.
“We are also continuing to work with the traders in the market on potential changes to support them, and following their feedback we have worked to reduce waste collection charges, provide support for those facing financial hardship and secured one-to-one business support.”
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HeadlineThe decline of Ridley Road Market: in their own words.
Short HeadlineThe decline of Ridley Road Market: in their own words.
StandfirstWith sky-rocketing rent and little council support, the future of a London institution looks bleak.
Ridley Road Market, operational for over 140 years and often referred to as the “heart and soul of Dalston”, is now just a fragment of its former glory.
Having served the Dalston community for over a century, Ridley Road market embodies the area’s rich history of immigration and cultural diversity.
However, in recent years, it has become difficult to survive as a trader. With sky-rocketing rent, rising expenses and dwindling footfall, many traders are worried about what the future holds for them and the market itself.
“I can’t see us being here in five years, we will be gone.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
David, owner of ‘Mr Clark’s shoes’ and a trader at Ridley Road for over 13 years, speaks about how the community surrounding the market has changed, forcing traders to rebrand in order to survive.
David: “The migrant community this market was tailored for can’t afford to live in the area anymore… all the traders have to rebrand to fit the new locals, but the process is slow… I’ve been here a long time, I’ve seen the change of this market and of Hackney as a whole, there’s a massive re-gentrification happening all around us.”
“It’s sad to see the market now compared to what it used to be. People used to be cramped together like sardines because it was so busy, now its basically a ghost town.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
When asked about what is causing the struggles for traders, David is quick to point at higher powers.
David: “Our struggles as traders are not down to us, its down to powers higher than us… Hackney Council only care about the money… I’ve been trading here for 13 years and in that time it has got worse every year, never better, only more expensive.”
“Everything is more expensive now, we can’t keep up.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
David isn’t alone in feeling this way. Ganesh, a fishmonger at ‘Chaudry Fishers’ on Ridley Road, says big brands are stealing customers and undercutting them:
Ganesh: “This market used to be too busy, now we have the opposite issue, people don’t come here anymore, it’s nearly empty.”
“Markets used to be a place to get fresh, cheap food. Now we are getting priced out by almost every supermarket… we are unable to keep up with them whilst covering our expenses.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
“This market used to be in service of the migrant communities surrounding it over time; muslims, jewish people, west-indians… now many of them have had to leave.”
“The rent for my small apartment and for this market stall as well have more than doubled in my time here… I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out.”
“I have no future here, I do this for my family.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
Greg, who has been selling spices and dried fish at the market for over 45 years, displayed little hope for the market and traders as a whole across London.
“The difference in trade is from here to the sky… this market is almost unrecognisable compared to when I started… we just survive now.”
“Markets used to be the fashion, now they are finished… with this market, as things have got worse; more empty, more rundown, its beginning to attract the wrong sorts of crowds… crime is increasing.”
Credit: Freddie Logan
When asked about the future, Greg had very little to say.
“I don’t have a future, I’m 75 years old… I just want to supply for my family, if thats here or somewhere else, I don’t really care if im honest… of course I would love for the market to be good again, but im losing hope.”
Ridley Road epitomises the many issues plaguing traditional markets across London. With the backdrop of legendary markets like Smithfield and Billingsgate closing in the coming years, it is understandable why traders feel uneasy. Rising costs, undercutting from larger establishments and little support for traders, means modern times are becoming increasingly hostile towards market owners. It is unclear how long this market can persevere without further support.
A Hackney Council spokesperson said: “Ridley Road Market is one of the most vibrant in East London and is the heart and soul of Dalston and we remain committed to safeguarding its long-term future.
“Visits to the market are not dwindling – in fact they are increasing. From the latest data on footfall Dalston town centre receives around 59,000 visitors per day (meaning 21.4 million visits annually). Ridley Road accounts for around 11,000 visitors per day. Last year this equated to more than 4 million visits during the year. This is an 88% increase from the period following the Covid pandemic.
“In April, we launched the Dalston Plan, which provides planning guidance for any new development in Dalston. This ensures any new development on Ridley Road will not result in the loss of street market pitches, and is sensitive to the needs of both the local economy and the local community.
“This work is in addition to the £1.5million joint investment in the market and local area in 2023 by Hackney Council and the Mayor of London creating improved facilities for traders and better public spaces throughout the market.
“We are also continuing to work with the traders in the market on potential changes to support them, and following their feedback we have worked to reduce waste collection charges, provide support for those facing financial hardship and secured one-to-one business support.”
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