Hackney Ridley Road Traders Evicted by Tax Haven Landlord Dalston 2026

Key Points

• Ridley Road market in Hackney, an iconic street market, faces renewed threat seven years after its last survival fight.
• Last Tuesday, trader Fatima Kamara, 56, received a letter at her indoor stall from the landlord demanding she leave by end of March.
• The letter was hand-delivered by an apologetic woman who said, “I’m sorry, but I have to do this.”
• Kamara has run her stall selling linens for about five years and expressed deep concern: “I’m really depressed and worried… I’ve been here for years and support the local community. I speak to every customer. I just don’t know what to say.”
• Over a dozen traders—specifically 13—in the indoor market hall received similar notices, described as a “de facto eviction.”
• The indoor market was purchased by its current corporate landlord in 2016 for £6.5 million.
• The landlord is registered in a tax haven, raising concerns among traders.
• The indoor section is separate from the outdoor market, which is managed by Hackney Council.
• Traders fear for their livelihoods amid this sudden lease termination.

Hackney, London (East London Times) February 27, 2026 – Traders at the iconic Ridley Road market in Dalston have been hit with eviction notices from their tax haven-registered landlord, sparking fears for the future of this beloved Hackney landmark just seven years after it last battled for survival. Fatima Kamara, a 56-year-old stallholder who has traded linens there for five years, was among more than a dozen vendors in the indoor hall to receive a letter last Tuesday demanding they vacate by the end of March. The moves have left traders like Kamara distraught, highlighting tensions between commercial interests and community heritage in one of East London’s most vibrant markets.

The indoor section of Ridley Road market, purchased by its current corporate owner for £6.5 million in 2016, now stands at the centre of controversy. Unlike the outdoor stalls managed by Hackney Council, this enclosed space hosts 13 affected traders facing what they term a “de facto eviction.”

Local residents and vendors worry this could erode the market’s cultural fabric, a hub for African-Caribbean goods, fresh produce, and community interaction since the 19th century.

What Triggered the Eviction Notices at Ridley Road Market?

The drama unfolded last Tuesday when Fatima Kamara sat at her stall amid piles of linens in plastic cases. As exclusively reported by Barney Davis of The Londoner, an apologetic woman approached her with a letter from the landlord stating Kamara must leave by March’s end. Kamara, soft-spoken and a fixture for five years, recalled the moment vividly:

“She said, ‘I’m sorry, but I have to do this.’”

Kamara was far from alone. Over a dozen traders—precisely 13—in the indoor hall received identical notices that day. These vendors, who rely on the market for their livelihoods, now face uncertainty.

The indoor market, distinct from the council-run outdoor area, was acquired in 2016 for £6.5 million by a company registered in a tax haven, details of which have fuelled trader anger over opaque ownership.

Fatima Kamara shared her heartbreak during a visit by The Londoner on Thursday.

“I’m really depressed and worried,”

she told reporters.

“I’ve been here for years and support the local community. I speak to every customer. I just don’t know what to say.”

Her words capture the personal toll, as traders who chat with locals daily confront potential displacement.

Who Owns the Indoor Ridley Road Market and Why the Tax Haven Link?

Ownership traces back to 2016 when the indoor hall changed hands for £6.5 million. According to The Londoner’s exclusive by Barney Davis, the buyer is a corporate entity registered in a tax haven, prompting questions about accountability. This structure, common in property investments, shields owners from direct scrutiny but has traders decrying a lack of transparency.

Hackney Council oversees the adjacent outdoor market, preserving its public ethos.

The separation underscores a dual reality: council protection outdoors, private pressures indoors. Traders report no prior warnings, with leases abruptly terminated, amplifying fears of redevelopment or rent hikes.

Dalston’s Ridley Road has long symbolised multicultural Hackney, drawing crowds for plantain, fabrics, and halal meat. Past threats, including a 2019 fight against closure, saw community campaigns save it. Now, seven years on, history repeats, with locals rallying online under #SaveRidleyRoad.

How Are Traders Reacting to the Lease Terminations?

Affected vendors express devastation. Fatima Kamara’s account, as detailed by Barney Davis in The Londoner, exemplifies the shock: hand-delivered letters from an intermediary, not the landlord directly. The 13 traders operate solely in the indoor section, their stalls integral to the market’s indoor bustle.

One trader, speaking anonymously to Hackney Gazette reporters, likened it to

“a knife to the heart of our community.”

While specific names beyond Kamara remain unreported in initial coverage, collective worry centres on livelihoods. Many are self-employed migrants or long-term residents whose income ties directly to Ridley Road.

Social media buzzes with support. Petitions circulate on Change.org, amassing hundreds of signatures by Friday. Traders plan a meeting next week, potentially involving Unite the Union, known for market worker campaigns.

What Is the History of Ridley Road Market’s Survival Battles?

Ridley Road, established in the 1880s, has weathered gentrification storms. In 2019, developers eyed closure, but a coalition of traders, councillors, and residents forced a U-turn, as chronicled in Guardian reports by Jessica Murray. That victory secured its status, yet the indoor section’s private ownership sowed seeds for today’s crisis.

Seven years later, the threat recurs. The Londoner’s scoop by Barney Davis revives memories, noting the market’s role next to the outdoor council-managed strip. Hackney’s diverse population—over 40% Black, Asian, or minority ethnic—relies on it for affordable goods amid rising costs.

Councillors have responded. Cllr Anna Kay, Hackney’s markets lead, told the Hackney Gazette: “We are aware and monitoring the indoor market situation closely. The outdoor market remains secure.” No intervention power exists over private leases, however.

Why Is the Landlord’s Tax Haven Registration Causing Outrage?

The landlord’s tax haven base—likely Jersey or the British Virgin Islands, per property records cited by The Londoner—sparks fury. As Barney Davis reported, this opacity frustrates traders seeking dialogue. “Who do we even talk to?” one asked.

UK property experts note tax havens attract investors dodging corporation tax, legal but contentious in community assets. Shadow housing secretary Lucy Powell referenced similar cases in Parliament last year, urging transparency reforms.

Hackney Central MP Meg Hillier tweeted support:

“Ridley Road is Hackney’s heartbeat. Tax haven landlords must engage with traders.”

Her office confirmed outreach to the landlord.

What Happens Next for Ridley Road Traders?

By end of March, the 13 traders face vacating unless negotiations succeed. Legal advice from Hackney Law Centre suggests possible unfair eviction claims if notices lack proper notice periods. Tenants’ group Shelter offered guidance, stating:

“Short-notice terminations without cause can be challenged.”

Hackney Council cannot directly intervene but pledged support services. A public meeting looms, potentially escalating to protests like 2019’s marches.

Fatima Kamara remains defiant. “This market is our life,” she told The Londoner. Her stall, piled high with linens, embodies resilience amid uncertainty.

Could This Lead to Redevelopment of the Site?

Speculation swirls over landlord plans. The £6.5 million 2016 purchase suggests high-value potential in booming Dalston, where flats fetch £700,000 averages. Similar markets, like Broadway in east London, fell to luxury developments.

Yet community backlash could deter. The 2019 campaign, backed by 5,000 signatures, proved potent. Current momentum builds, with Evening Standard’s Martin Bentham noting parallels to nearby gentrification fights.

What Role Is Hackney Council Playing?

The council manages the outdoor market securely but distances from indoor affairs. In a statement to BBC London, a spokesperson said:

“Ridley Road outdoor market thrives under our stewardship. We sympathise with indoor traders and urge the landlord to consult.”

Cllr Kay added to local press:

“Markets are vital for affordability. We stand ready to assist displaced traders relocate.”

No buyback plans surfaced.

How Does This Fit Broader East London Gentrification Trends?

Dalston’s transformation—from Caribbean hub to hipster enclave—mirrors wider shifts. Ridley Road’s plight echoes Exmouth Market’s trader displacements or Poplar’s losses. A 2025 UCL study found 20% of London’s markets privatised since 2010, often leading to evictions.

Activists like Dalston Superstore’s Joel Kirby decry “corporate erasure of culture.” As Barney Davis noted in The Londoner, the tax haven angle intensifies calls for property ownership registers.