Sportswear Retail Giant Looks to Acquire Brixton Markets

Sportswear retail giant, Sports Direct, are in the running to purchase Brixton Markets — home to a significant number of independent restaurants and retailers, the Evening Standard have reported, citing “property sources”. The bid, thought to be £30 million, includes two precincts: Brixton Village and Market Row across which there are approximately 140 small businesses.

The company, which has faced a number of recent charges of employee mistreatment, is led by chief executive and Newcastle United Football Club owner, Mike Ashley. While Brixton itself has been the subject of a number of controversies — and multiple anti-gentrification protests — in recent years.

In August, a Sports Direct affiliate company acquired a section of land in the area, suggesting that the retail company are planning to open a number of sites in the neighbourhood. Whether or not they have plans to re-purpose the markets — with, for example, sports shops — is more likely to be known when the company choose to comment.

The Markets generate an estimated rental income of £1.3 million annually, the Evening Standard say. While the markets themselves are being sold by property agents GCW and Lewis & Partners on behalf of the landlord London & Associated Properties.

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