All Three Covered Markets Listed Grade II

07/04/2010

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced its decision to overturn the original refusal and has listed Brixton’s three covered markets at Grade II.  The decision highlights the markets as the ‘most architectural manifestation of the post-war [African-Caribbean] presence in Brixton and given the significance of black history to post-war Britain...establishes some clear claims to historic interest.’  This is the first listing to take into account the significance of post-war multiculturalism in Britain and recognizes the cultural and historical significance of an ensemble of buildings that would not be listed on architectural merit alone. 

The decision reflects the importance of the people of Brixton Market as much as the buildings – Brixton Market's value is in its past and current traders and shoppers, and the meaning the market has for them. The listing decision's aim is both to protect the building, and to protect the cultural and economic life of the market.

Watch the BBC London News report 

The listing decision is a complete reversal of the 2008 decision not to list the buildings and goes against English Heritage’s (EH) recent amended advice, which whilst recognising the cultural and historical value of the markets, disappointingly adopted a position of selective designation and only recommended Reliance Arcade and Market Row or listing.  The later Granville Arcade was excluded on somewhat inconsistent architectural grounds.  In both the granting of the review and the consultation of EH’s advice, there was a great deal of support from an alliance of politicians, grass roots and national groups and active Brixton citizens.  The DCMS’s decision is a reflection of how the insightful and valuable opinions of those people to whom the markets are of the most value have been effectively considered in the listing process. 

The initial listing request was made by the Twentieth Century Society and Brixton resident Paul Bakalite. However, the markets were turned down based on a purely architectural assessment.  The review, requested by Mr Bakalite, was granted on the basis that the cultural and historical factors which are crucial to the understanding of the importance of Brixton Market had not been considered. A wealth of support for the review came together from across Brixton. Letters were written by community organisations: Black Cultural Archives, The Brixton Society, Transition Town Brixton, ABC Brixton and of course Friends of Brixton Market; and by local politicians: the leader of Lambeth Council, Cllr Steve Reed, Cllr Rachel Heywood, Tessa Jowell MP, Kate Hoey MP, GLA Member Valerie Shawcross, Cllr Imogen Walker, Cllr Stephen Morgan and Cllr Neeraj Patil.

The submissions each explained the national significance of the markets to African-Caribbean and multicultural history in Britain and called for the listing of Brixton Market.  Many of these original supporters also commented on the EH amended advice, clarifying the significance of Brixton Market as a complete site and emphasising the necessity for it to be listed as such.

FBM are thrilled to hear the news, and congratulate everyone who supported the listing of Brixton market over the last few years.

Articles on the listing:

Evening Standard: "Street Cred at Brixton Market" 

Independent Feature "Gentrification game: Defending traditional markets" 

Streatham, Clapham & Crystal Palace Post 

BBC News

Building Design

The Telegraph