DCMS: List Granville!

2008: First listing attempt 

Back in 2008, Brixton resident Paul Bakalite and the 20th Century Society applied to have Granville Arcade listed. The Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) rejected the application based on a very narrow architectural assessement made by English Heritage.

Download English Heritage's judgement (PDF)

Now: Review

Paul Bakalite then applied to have this judgement reviewed on the grounds that the cultural significance (specifically Black history) had not been assessed and DCMS agreed. Councillor Rachel Heywood, council leader Steve Reed, Black Cultural Archives, local MPs, the 20th Century Society and FBM have written in support of the listing, this time stressing the social historical and cultural importance of the building.

These submissions were received by DCMS at the end of February this year. We wait to hear the outcome and in the meantime continue to urge the DCMS to list Granville Arcade.

Steve Reed's letter of support to DCMS: 

Dear Mr Doidge,

I am writing to support the application to list Brixton’s covered markets on the grounds that they are of significant historic interest. I believe that, as stated in Section 6.9 of PPG15, they “…illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural … history” and that there is “some quality of interest in the physical fabric of the building itself to justify the statutory protection afforded by listing”.

I am proud to be the Leader of a borough which is famous for its multicultural diversity, vibrancy and cohesive communities. Brixton is not only the civic centre and capital of Lambeth, but it is regarded as the black capital of Europe and the hub of African-Caribbean culture in Britain. Brixton’s markets sit at the very heart of the town giving it much of its character and have played a fundamental role in the story of black people in the UK and their integration into British society. The buildings themselves form a setting of great social and cultural richness, and the arcades are an integral part of the past, the present and the future of multicultural Britain. As such they deserve to be protected, and I would ask you to consider the request for listing favourably. One of the three arcades is currently at risk of demolition by developers and so this request is urgent. 

I understand that you have received a number of submissions from local and national organisations, and colleagues, and I believe that these help to demonstrate the importance of these buildings. 

The council’s administration has worked hard to preserve and enhance the multicultural heritage of Brixton and to support its significance as a cultural destination. Last year we were successful in our partnership bid with the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) and London Development Agency to the Heritage Lottery Fund and have been awarded £4.5million towards the development of the first National Black Heritage Centre. This will be dedicated to celebrating the histories of African and African Caribbean peoples in this country and located close to the street and covered markets which are an unmatched living example of this heritage. 

The Heritage Centre forms part of a wider development focusing on creating a new public arena in Brixton Central Square – the previous Mayor of London’s flagship project in his 100 Public Spaces Initiative. Designers have worked closely with local communities to ensure that their histories, and those of their forebears, are reflected in this space and that the contribution of those who came to London on the Empire Windrush in 1948, many settling in Brixton, is recognised and honoured here. 

Council policy makes explicit our wish to protect and preserve these key cultural destinations. The existing markets and arcades are considered to be of exceptional importance to the Brixton Conservation Area. As the building heart and core of that area their loss through demolition would be completely unacceptable. The UDP contains specific policies which seek to protect the intrinsic character of the arcades, market stalls, small shops and street markets. Finally, the draft master plan for Brixton Town Centre which has been developed under the ‘Future Brixton’ proposals by the council and partners focuses on the protection and enhancement of the markets.

Our Sustainable Community Strategy has identified ‘Tackling Worklessness’ as the key priority for Lambeth Council and its partners.  We see this as the key intervention in narrowing the opportunity gap that holds back too many of our citizens.  The markets support the economic wellbeing of our newest communities and allow entrepreneurship to flourish.  

Brixton has always been a destination - a place of promise, safety and refuge for new communities travelling from all over the world. The markets have provided points of entry and a chance to settle and to prosper. Today, they continue to reflect that role with businesses run by African Caribbean, African, Portuguese, Latin American, Afghani and Iraqi traders. 

The markets are of unique cultural and historic significance and this deserves to be protected. I hope that you will see fit to support this request.

Best wishes,

Councillor Steve Reed

Leader of Lambeth Council