brixton market: under threat of demolition NOW

Arcades were first used in British retail architecture in 1818 when the Burlington Arcade was built. Other examples are the Butcher's Hall in Grainger Market, Newcastle and the Birmingham Market Hall both dating from 1835.

Brixton Market was built in the first part of the C20 when the market traders were relocated from Brixton Road. The first arcade to be built was the Reliance Arcade dating from 1923. It has an exceptionally rare Egyptian style street frontage to Electric Lane. The interior is crisp black Art Deco virtalite with chrome that has been unfortunatley obscured. Market Row followed in 1928 and was designed by Andrews and Peascod with an excellent glass roof supported by a precast concrete structure. Granville Arcade was the last phase and was built to the designs of Alfred and Vincent Burr from 1935-38. Its glass roof is supported by a welded sheet metal structure.

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