Brixton Market

Brixton Market is a street market in the centre of Brixton, south London, England, and the adjacent covered market areas in nearby arcades Reliance Arcade, Market Row and "Brixton Village" (formerly Granville Arcade). The market sells a wide range of foods and goods but is best known for its African and Caribbean produce.

The Market began on Atlantic Road in the 1870s and subsequently spread to Brixton Road which had a very wide footway. Brixton then was a rapidly expanding London railway suburb with newly opening shops and England's first purpose-built department store. The market was a popular attraction with lower class shoppers being entertained by street musicians.

Electric Avenue was built in the 1880s and was one of the first streets to have electric light. Glazed iron canopies covered the footpath.

The market arcades were built in the 1920s and 1930s when road widening on Brixton Road forced traders from their established pitches. Reliance Arcade, 455 Brixton Road (c1924) provides a narrow pedestrian route from Brixton Road to Electric Lane. It incorporates the original Georgian house and has a beautiful Egyptian tomb facade to Electric Lane; it was extended forward by Ernest J Thomas in 1931. Inside there are small shops no larger than market stalls and a glazed roof provide the light.

Market Row, 40 - 44 Atlantic Road was designed by Andrews and Peascod in 1928. It was built in the back yards of existing premises and links Atlantic Road, Coldharbour Lane and Electric Lane. The interior is double-height and windows in the roof provide light.

Brixton Market, Coldharbour Lane was built as Granville Arcade in 1937 to designs of Alfred and Vincent Burr; the developer was Mr Granville-Grossman. It was opened by actor Carl Brisson on 6 May 1937. It has an interior of narrow covered streets called 'Avenues', and is double-height, similar to Market Row. There are over 100 shops. It links Coldharbour Lane, Atlantic Road and Popes Road.

The three 'arcades' are unique to Brixton (nowhere else in Britain has them) and their very unique character is a mixture of their long history, the interesting architecture, the goods on sale and the cultural mix of Brixton which is known as the symbolic 'soul of black Britain'.

The song Electric Avenue was written by Eddie Grant referring to part of the market (come out of the tube, turn left then left again) which was the first street in the UK to be lit with electric lamps.

Reflecting the diverse community in which it is based, Brixton Market contains a wide variety of foodstuffs from every continent in the world. At one time, there was some controversy over the selling of live African snails. [ [http://brixtonsnails.googlepages.com/ BrixtonSnails - Saving Brixton Snails ] ] However, following a successful campaign this practice has since been stopped. [ [http://www.urban75.org/brixton/photos/brixton-feb07.html Brixton photos, snapshots on the streets of Atlantic Road, Electric Avenue, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, Lambeth, London SW9 and SW2 ] ]

Opening hours: the market is open Mon-Sat from 10 a.m to sunset.

Individuals

*David Copeland
*Eddy Grant
*Sir John Major

Market Roads in Brixton

*Pope's Road
*Electric Avenue

References

ee also

*New Covent Garden Market
*Brixton railway station