Final Christmas for traders at Gabriel's Wharf

Traders said they have been left "devastated" after being told they must leave

A group of independent businesses on London's South Bank have been told this will be their last Christmas trading, as the site owner prepares to replace them with a new "public space".

Gabriel's Wharf, which has existed since 1988, is home to a small cluster of shops including art galleries and food artisans.

Not-for-profit owner Coin Street has told traders they must clear out their units by October 2026 so the site can be demolished and regenerated. It plans to build a nursing home on site in 10 to 15 years time.

Liz Mathews, co-owner of a pottery studio at Gabriel's Wharf said they had asked to trade until the end of 2026 to "have two more Christmases", but Coin Street refused.

Gabriel's Wharf Tenants Association is due to meet Coin Street and Florence Eshalomi, the MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, on Thursday to discuss the issue.

Joanne Plumb has based her business at Gabriel's Wharf for more than 20 years

Coin Street said it wanted to regenerate the site for "meanwhile use" for 10 to 15 years, before a long-term plan for the site was approved. In 2020, it mooted proposals for a 76-room nursing home at Gabriel's Wharf. The nursing home plan remains, a spokesperson for the organisation said.

The current businesses argued their presence was the meanwhile use the site needed while it awaited future plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A spokesperson for Coin Street said many of the units at Gabriel's Wharf were reaching the end of their life and the site had to close to allow for their temporary replacement.

'Hidden gem'

The spokesperson said nothing had been decided for the new meanwhile use, and they could not confirm whether it would be suitable for the current businesses and so had advised them to find alternative sites.

They added it was important the site generated money but could not confirm if this included independent businesses or shops.

Ms Mathews said traders were "devastated".

Mariatu Turay-Akar, who runs Travelling Artisan Popup, a collective for female artists, said: "I suspect that a lot of us won't be able to continue... definitely not in London, because the rents are ridiculous.

"There's nothing like this for miles around."

Joanne Plumb, whose knitwear shop has been at Gabriel's Wharf for more than 20 years, said they were "blessed to be here".

She added: "It's like a little hidden gem, there's things you can't find anywhere else."

Coin Street said the site would be a "mixed-use public space" for 10 to 15 years

Harry, who owns Hartex, a shop specialising in vintage sportswear and alternative London souvenirs, said: "If I don't have this place, then I'm never running a shop again. The high street is finished."

He said a lot of the traders would find it "really hard" to find a new place to set-up shop.

He added: "Gabriel's Wharf is a great example of what London and what diversity can be... it's one of the most perfect representations of London."

A spokesperson for Coin Street said they would continue Gabriel's Wharf for meanwhile use as a "vibrant mixed-use public space for residents, workers and visitors" for 10 to 15 years.

"We don't know what the new use will be yet, but we will carry out a public consultation during the planning process.

"Coin Street is a not-for-profit social enterprise. The money generated by our commercial spaces goes towards running our homes, parks, nursery, family support services and youth and community programmes."