"A group of independent businesses on London's South Bank have been told this will be their last Christmas trading, as the site owner prepares to replace them with a new "public space". Gabriel's Wharf, which has existed since 1988, is home to a small cluster of shops including art galleries and food artisans. Not-for-profit owner Coin Street has told traders they must clear out their units by October 2026 so the site can be demolished and regenerated."
"It plans to build a nursing home on site in 10 to 15 years time. Liz Mathews, co-owner of a pottery studio at Gabriel's Wharf said they had asked to trade until the end of 2026 to "have two more Christmases", but Coin Street refused. Gabriel's Wharf Tenants Association is due to meet Coin Street and Florence Eshalomi, the MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, on Thursday to discuss the issue."
"Coin Street said it wanted to regenerate the site for "meanwhile use" for 10 to 15 years, before a long-term plan for the site was approved. In 2020, it mooted proposals for a 76-room nursing home at Gabriel's Wharf. The nursing home plan remains, a spokesperson for the organisation said. The current businesses argued their presence was the meanwhile use the site needed while it awaited future plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service."
Gabriel's Wharf hosts small independent shops, art galleries and food artisans and has existed since 1988. Not-for-profit owner Coin Street has instructed traders to vacate units by October 2026 to allow demolition and temporary replacement of worn units. Coin Street intends a period of "meanwhile use" for 10 to 15 years and has previously proposed a 76-room nursing home as a long-term plan. Traders contend their businesses already provide the needed meanwhile use. Coin Street says no final decision has been made on the new meanwhile use and advised traders to seek alternative sites. Traders describe the decision as devastating.
Read at www.bbc.com
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