Sudden council U-turn on 3am Brixton open-air drinking plan

Brixton Station Road
Brixton Station Road

Lambeth council last night withdrew its application for a 3am open-air drinking licence for Brixton Station Road half an hour before it was due to be heard by its own planning committee. The application was made on 5 June this year.

A council spokesman said: “The application was withdrawn after a number of concerns were raised. The council will now review and work with stakeholders to get the best outcome for all parties.”

The plan was for a “night market” on Brixton Station Road on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with music until 2am, alcohol until 3am and food until 5am.

Council officials had been involved in talks with the organisers of the current Brixton Night Market that takes place in Windrush Square.

Earlier this year there was concern and confusion when it appeared that the council had decided to close the farmers’ market that takes place on Sunday afternoons in Brixton Station Road.

After protests and petitions, the council said its concern was with the way the market was run and it has continued without a break while the council discusses its future with the Brixton Market Traders Federation.

Permanent traders on the road have been hard-hit by the blight on their trade caused by Network Rail’s closure of its arches both there and on Atlantic Road pending “redevelopment”.