Victory for Soho's Berwick Street market traders as Westminster council scraps 'privatisation' plans

Traders at one of London’s oldest street markets were celebrating victory today after Westminster council bosses scrapped bitterly opposed “privatisation” plans.

More than 37,000 people, including Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry, had signed a petition objection to the proposal to hand over management of Berwick Street market in the heart of Soho to a private operator.

But yesterday the council’s deputy leader and Cabinet member for business, culture and heritage Robert Davis called a halt to the tendering process.

Cllr Davis said: “My grandfather used to own a shop in the market in the Sixties and I recall visiting on numerous occasions in my childhood a vibrant and popular market.

“Therefore I want to consult further and look at ways that will improve the market that takes all the local traders, residents and visitors with us, so as to return the market to its former glory.”

Robin Smith, who chairs the Berwick Street Traders Society, said: “From our point of view, having heard that Westminster has U-turned, we very much appreciate the screech of rubber but wish it had come sooner and not at the expense of crashed businesses and traders forced to give up their dreams.

“Having said that, this is a very good day for Berwick Street Market and all of its supporters, but it is an even better day for central London market traders who won’t have to go through what we have just been through.

"We look forward to seeing the detail of a proposal and to sitting down with Westminster Council to thrash out a new plan so we can stand this fantastic market back on its feet.”

Labour Westminster councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said: “We now want to know what new resources will be brought in to the council to manage Berwick Street Market properly and what new investment will be put in to the market so that it has the necessary facilities to make it a success once again.”