London Mayor Sadiq Khan visited the Blue to announce a new team of industry experts who will support London markets.
He met with local traders and people who had participated in the Bermondsey market’s recent regeneration, along with Council Leader Kieron Williams, on Friday, September 30.
His new board of experts will support London’s markets by lobbying the government for the resources they need to play “a crucial role in the capital”.
The Mayor of London said: “I’m delighted to appoint nineteen experts to the London Markets Board. They will help ensure that markets like The Blue Market in Bermondsey can continue to thrive and serve the community in the best way possible.
“Markets in London play a crucial role in the capital. Not only do they enable people to buy goods and services from others in their community, they are also great hubs where people from all backgrounds and ages can socialise and connect.”
Plans to give Bermondsey’s Blue market a 21st Century makeover
Khan also launched Openmarkets.london – a new website making it easier for young people and new traders to access pitches on markets.
The Blue benefited from the Mayor’s funding when it was regenerated using £2 million from his Good Growth Fund.
With that money, the historic market underwent a revamp. There are now new stalls for traders and much-needed maintenance has been done.
A public space for community events has also been established and, at its centre, a new clock tower built.
Inspired by one that used to sit on top of Peek Frean’s biscuit factory, the tower is clad with 3,000 tin can discs made in Old Kent Road.
Once an important community hub, socio-economic changes and the opening of the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre in 1988 led to the Blue’s gradual decline.
Russell Dryden, a fishmonger in charge of the Blue Bermondsey business improvement district (BID), said: “The Blue has always had a street market for over 100 years and 150 stalls used to line Southwark Park Road.
“I’ve seen it trading for thirty-odd years and seen it go down in front of my eyes… when they opened Surrey Quays it took a lot of people away.
“A lot of people don’t agree with Kahn on his policies around transport but if it wasn’t for him stepping in with the funding, we wouldn’t have this lovely town centre.
“We can’t compete with online supermarkets and big super chains on price but we can compete on social value. People who want to come to the Blue can come and support their local shops, have a chat and a coffee.”