Elephant and Castle redevelopment raises gentrification concerns, report says
9 reported
A report on the redevelopment of London’s Elephant and Castle district highlights tensions between developers and displaced local businesses. The £500m project, called the Elephant, replaces a 1965 shopping mall with a modern town square, tower blocks, shops, restaurants, a cinema, a gym, offices, and hundreds of flats. Former tenants, including Latin American businesses, say promises of affordable new premises have not been kept. A professor at Royal Holloway, University of London, described the area as “patient zero” of London’s gentrification. The developer, Get Living, states it is working with Southwark council to prioritize eligible independent traders for discounted market rent units. The report notes that only five of 40 commercial sites are set aside for local businesses at affordable rents.
What’s reported
Diana Sach once employed more than 30 people at her Latin American restaurant in Elephant and Castle.
The old shopping centre was demolished in 2021.
The Elephant development is part of a £500m redevelopment.
The new development includes about 40 shops, restaurants, bars, a cinema, a gym, 55,000 sq ft of offices, and hundreds of flats.
Only five of 40 commercial sites are set aside for local businesses at affordable rents.
There are 485 homes to rent across three towers, including five at social rent, 45 on London living rent, and 124 at discounted market rent.
A further phase will add 116 social rent, 12 LLR, and 37 discounted market rent homes.
Oli Mould, professor at Royal Holloway, called the redevelopment “patient zero” of London’s gentrification.
Get Living says it is working with Southwark council to finalize the affordable retail strategy.
Key figures
Diana Sach, former restaurant owner
Oli Mould, professor of social, cultural and historical geography at Royal Holloway, University of London
Rick de Blaby, outgoing boss of Get Living
John Batteson, Southwark council cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and transport
Dario Lopez, accountant representing Latin American businesses
Lenin Erazo, owner of Miko restaurant
Sources: The Guardian
