Ridley Road Market storage site refurb the ‘catalyst’ for Dalston’s regeneration

Town hall chiefs hope the redevelopment of a derelict Ridley Road Market storage site will be the “catalyst” for future works in Dalston.

Birkbeck Mews is a council-owned area currently used to store market waste, stalls, the market manager’s office and public toilets. In 2015 Birkbeck Mews Development Company was given a 30-year lease for the site.

As it stands, it’s a magnet for anti-social behaviour, but plans are in place to make build new market facilities, offices and affordable workspace.

Chiefs say the it should solve a long-term issue of growing Dalston firms having to leave the borough due to a lack of space for medium-sized businesses.

The ground floor of the new site would be leased back to the council for the market facilities.

A report on the planning application states: “The proposal meets the council’s vision for the regeneration of Dalston Town Centre and is seen as a catalyst for future development.”

The council will be paid a proportion of the site’s rent income over the 30-year lease.