Brixton Village Market

Brixton Village is a 1930s indoor market in south London. When The Brick Box took a unit in August 2010, the market still suffered from low footfall and many of the businesses continued to struggle.

The Brick Box was part of the exemplary effort which turned the market around. With funding from Lambeth Council, support from the market’s owners and traders, and our diverse networks, we created an arts cafe and hub from which a new community was born.

We stimulated the night time economy of the market by producing a diverse programme of arts events, negotiating the extension of late opening, and applying for entertainment licensing. Local people volunteered their time, showed their art work, tested out business ideas, shared skills and reclaimed their community space.

Our cafe partners were supported through their first 2 years by our activities and have recently been able to purchase the lease due to their profitability. The units in Brixton Village are now some of the most sought after in London and the space is thriving.