Ridley Road Closure: Mayor Meets Landlord, Police Dalston 2026

Key Points

• The Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, has requested an urgent meeting with the landlord, Larochette Real Estate, and the police to address the crisis at Ridley Road Shopping Village.​
• Landlord Larochette informed traders that their leases will not be extended, leading to the closure of the indoor market’s ground floor from 31 March 2026.
• Traders received hand-delivered notices on 17 February 2026, with no prior proper warning, putting livelihoods at risk.
• Hackney Council is supporting affected businesses by offering discounted pitches at the Ridley Road street market, securing new premises for one business, and storage for another.​
• The closure follows a Metropolitan Police Community Protection Warning issued on 6 February 2026 to the owner and management over antisocial behaviour, including drug use, supply, violent offences, and knife crime.
• Police clarified they did not request the full closure; it was the landlord’s independent decision, though aligned with advice to address safety concerns.
• Cllr Zoë Garbett (Dalston ward) expressed outrage at Larochette’s actions, communication, and misrepresentation of police position, noting historical sub-standard conditions for traders.
• Save Ridley Road campaigner Danny Hayward described it as a “re-run of the 2018 evictions,” calling for council intervention and accusing Larochette of social cleansing.
• Ridley Road Shopping Village Traders Association (RRSVT) organised a public meeting on 17 March 2026 at Ridley Road Market Bar, inviting council, police, and Larochette representatives.
• Larochette, who bought the site for £6.5 million in 2016, aims to review security and management post-closure; a prior 2024 proposal for seven apartments was rejected.
• Council committed in 2022 to a 15-year lease takeover after refurbishment, which did not occur; over £1m invested in the street market, now open seven days a week.
• Cllr Grace Adebayo regretted the impact on traders’ livelihoods and looks forward to reopening.
• Traders, many from Black and Global Majority communities, low-income, and elders, sell unique cultural goods and provide community services.​
• Artists’ studios on upper floors remain operational.

Dalston, Hackney (East London Times) March 16, 2026 – Ridley Road Shopping Village faces imminent closure as landlord Larochette Real Estate refuses to extend traders’ leases beyond 31 March, prompting Mayor Caroline Woodley to request an urgent meeting with the firm and Metropolitan Police.​

This decision, announced via notices hand-delivered to traders on 17 February, stems from ongoing antisocial behaviour concerns following a police Community Protection Warning, though officers emphasise they did not mandate the full shutdown. Hackney Council has stepped in with practical support, including discounted street market pitches and relocation aid for affected businesses, amid fears for local livelihoods in this iconic Dalston market.

What prompted the closure of Ridley Road Shopping Village?

The closure of Ridley Road Shopping Village’s ground floor indoor market was triggered by persistent antisocial behaviour, as detailed in a note from Rainbow Properties, representatives for Larochette Real Estate. As reported by the Hackney Citizen, the note stated:

“The police have identified continued incidents of antisocial behaviour including knife crime, drug dealing and threats of violence that present risks to public safety and require decisive action to prevent further harm.”

Despite management interventions and cooperation with Hackney Council’s community safety teams, incidents persisted, leading to the 6 February Community Protection Warning issued jointly by police and council to the building owner and management company of the Indoor Market on Ridley Road. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson clarified to the Hackney Citizen:

“This follows concerns raised regarding drug use, drug supply, a series of violent offences and anti-social behaviour. The basis of the warning was to request improved regulation of the business units contributing to crime and antisocial behaviour.”

Larochette hopes the closure will enable a full review of security and management to meet police and local authority standards, prioritising community safety.

Why has Mayor Caroline Woodley called an urgent meeting?

In a statement on the Hackney Council news site, Mayor Caroline Woodley announced:

“I have also requested an urgent meeting with the landlord and the police, and will strongly make the case for additional time and support for businesses affected.”

This follows Larochette’s failure to deliver a planned refurbishment that would have allowed council takeover for the Dalston community’s benefit.​

Mayor Woodley emphasised council support:

“We are here to support businesses at Ridley Road Shopping Village, whose livelihoods have been put at risk after landlord Larochette… informed them that their leases won’t be extended.”

The meeting aims to secure more time amid the sudden notices.​

How is Hackney Council supporting the traders?

Hackney Council has offered immediate aid, as per Mayor Woodley’s statement:

“Since becoming aware of the latest developments we have offered businesses in the building discounted pitches at the Council-managed Ridley Road street market, and secured new premises for one business within the shopping village as well as storage space for another.”​

A council spokesperson told the Hackney Citizen:

“We recognise the impact this decision will have on traders in Ridley Road Shopping Village, and we are working to provide advice and support where possible. The council remains committed to securing a sustainable and safe future for the indoor market space, subject to appropriate legal and commercial safeguards.”

The council learned of the closure on 17 February and takes public safety seriously, working with police.

Meanwhile, over £1m has been invested in the Ridley Road street market, expanded to seven days a week.​

What are traders and councillors saying about the evictions?

Ridley Road Shopping Village Traders Association (RRSVT) issued an open letter on 6 March, stating:

“No proper warning. No time to liquidate our stock. The destruction of our livelihoods. Many of us won’t be able to start again or find another place to trade.”

They highlighted serving Black, Global Majority, low-income, and elder communities with unique goods like clothes, fabric, music, bedding, and furniture.​

Cllr Zoë Garbett told the Hackney Citizen:

“I am outraged at this action from Larochette – not only are they proposing to evict traders, again, the way they have communicated this to traders and the public has been totally unacceptable. Larochette has misrepresented the police’s position who have not requested the closure of the building.”

She criticised historical sub-standard conditions.​

Cllr Grace Adebayo (Labour) said:

“It is to be regretted that Larochelle, the landlord of the Ridley Road Shopping Village, has shut the ground floor which will affect the livelihood of the traders there. I look forward to seeing the centre re-open soon.”​

What is the history of Larochette’s ownership and past disputes?

Larochette Real Estate purchased the shopping village for £6.5 million in 2016, as reported by the Hackney Citizen. In 2018, traders faced brutal eviction attempts, leading to community resistance. A 2022 agreement saw council plans for a 15-year lease post-refurbishment, which never materialised.

In July 2024, Larochette proposed seven apartments on the second floor, rejected in October. Traders returned in April 2025 after prior issues. Save Ridley Road’s Danny Hayward told the Hackney Citizen:

“This is a complete re-run of the brutal and unlawful attempted evictions in 2018… Larochette have proved incapable of behaving with legal or social responsibility to their tenants.”

Has the police position been misrepresented?

RRSVT claimed:

“The police have said that they have not requested the closure of the Indoor Market space and have not issued a closure order.”

Save Ridley Road noted police have not disclosed the warning’s content publicly.​

A Met spokesperson confirmed to the Hackney Citizen:

“On Tuesday, 17 February, police were informed that the building owner had taken steps in line with police and council advice to close a number of units… They have also taken the separate decision to close the entire Indoor Market from 31 March. This is an independent decision made by the building owner and management.”​

Larochette referenced a single trader’s historic behaviour, not renewed in April 2025, but traders questioned collective punishment.

What is the Ridley Road Traders Association planning next?

The RRSVT has called a public meeting on Tuesday 17 March at 5pm at Ridley Road Market Bar, inviting Hackney Council, police, and Larochette. Their letter demands respect:

“We deserve to be listened to and treated with respect, as people who have contributed to Hackney… We are not the ones who have questions to answer here.”

Save Ridley Road launched a letter-writing campaign on 10 March targeting council involvement in leases. Danny Hayward added:

“Larochette are trying to evict elder, migrant traders… This is social cleansing, presented in the language of public safety. The Mayor talks about Hackney as a sanctuary borough. The least she can do is come to the meeting.”​

What is the future for Ridley Road street market?

Hackney Council prioritises the street market, with a Hackney Council spokesperson stating in 2024: “Protecting the future of Ridley Road Street Market is an absolute priority… Last year, a £1.5 million joint investment between Hackney Council and the Mayor of London… created improved facilities.” Mayor Woodley noted continued investment.

The indoor village’s future remains uncertain, with council lacking powers to halt the landlord’s decision but committed to safety and sustainability. Upper-floor artists’ studios continue unaffected.