Model Market Reopens Spring 2026: Lewisham Hotspot Returns; Lewisham 2026

Key Points

• Model Market, Lewisham’s iconic street food market, will reopen in spring 2026 after being closed since 2021
• The market is situated on the fringes of Lewisham Shopping Centre in South London
• Model Market originally dates back to the 1950s as a general market renowned for Black-owned businesses
• In 2014, the market pivoted to become a street food market operated by Street Feast, the company behind Dalston’s Street Feast and Shoreditch’s Dinerama
• The market closed in September 2021 when Street Feast collapsed during the aftermath of the Covid pandemic
• The reopening is part of the phased regeneration of Lewisham Shopping Centre by developer Landsec
• The wider regeneration includes fresh public spaces, a new 500-capacity music venue, and additional shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars
• The revived Model Market will feature retro shopfronts and string lights inspired by the original 1950s style
• Beyond food, the market will host DJ sets, pop-ups, live music, and cultural programming blending food, music, and art
• Landsec will reuse the old buildings rather than demolishing them for Model Market, calling it “a reimagined street market for a new generation”
• Exact reopening dates are not yet confirmed, but the market will return sometime in spring 2026
• Applications for vendors are currently open online until March 1, 2026, with encouragement for local businesses and South London creatives
• Paul Redden, Centre Director at Lewisham Shopping Centre, stated the revival “celebrates our heritage while creating new opportunities for local businesses and cultural connection”
• The wider Lewisham Shopping Centre redevelopment approved by Lewisham Council is valued at £1.5 billion and includes 1,700 new homes

Lewisham (South London News) June 17, 2026 – Lewisham’s iconic Model Market is set to make its long-awaited return in spring 2026, bringing a revitalised mix of street food, independent traders and creative energy back to the town centre. The beloved street food market, situated on the fringes of Lewisham Shopping Centre, will reopen later this summer as part of the phased regeneration of the shopping centre.

As reported by the Timeout London journalist covering the reopening announcement, Landsec, the developer that owns the area, has announced it will bring back the market as

“a hub for independent kitchens, local makers and creative spaces”.

The market’s return comes amid Landsec’s wider plan to demolish the 1970s-built Lewisham town centre to build 1,700 new homes, though Model Market itself will return to its original building.

Operating as a street food market since 2014, the hugely popular market closed in 2021 when its operator, Street Feast, collapsed. Before becoming a street food hub, Model Market was a trading site for many small Black-owned businesses dating back to the 1950s. As reported by Greenwich Wire, the market closed in September 2021 when Street Feast collapsed.

How Will the Revived Model Market Differ From Its Previous Version?

The revived Model Market will serve more than food; it will be a social hub in the heart of Lewisham, delivering DJ sets and genre-spanning music, alongside a host of events, pop-ups, and cultural programming that blends food, music, and art, according to Landsec’s statement. Its new look will take inspiration from the original 1950s style, with retro shopfronts and string lights.

As reported by Timeout London,

“By honouring the original architecture and preserving the site’s time-worn patina, the market will retain the character and charm that made it iconic while introducing a bold new visual identity”.

A spokesperson for Model Market stated:

“With a nostalgic design inspired by mid-century shopfronts and a commitment to modern, sustainable values, the new Model Market will feel both timeless and completely new – a reimagined street market for a new generation”.

Despite the nearby impending demolition of parts of the shopping centre, Model Market will return to its original building, reusing the old buildings in what Landsec calls “a reimagined street market for a new generation”. The market will serve food as well as hosting live events including DJ sets, pop-ups, and live music.

Who Is Inviting Vendors and What Are the Application Requirements?

Organisers are now inviting street-food vendors, chefs, bakers, drinks partners, artists, and makers to register their interest. Applications are especially encouraged from local businesses and South London creatives.

As reported by South Wark News, street-food traders, independent chefs, drinks partners, bakers, and artists who are keen to join the new Model Market have until March 1, 2026, to apply online.

Paul Redden, Centre Director at Lewisham Shopping Centre, said:

“Model Market was a much-loved destination for the community. Its revival marks an important moment for Lewisham – one that celebrates our heritage while creating new opportunities for local businesses and cultural connection”.

The spokesperson added:

“We want to champion local talent, and whether you’re running a kitchen concept, a small shop, or planning community events, we’d love to hear from brands who want to help shape Lewisham’s next great social space”.

For updates on the market, visitors can visit www.lewishamarket.com.

When Exactly Will Model Market Reopen and What Is the Timeline?

Exact dates aren’t confirmed yet, but Model Market will be returning at some point in the spring of 2026. As reported by Greenwich Wire, Lewisham’s Model Market will reopen in the spring, five years after the street food area last traded.

The London Post reported that in December, Model Market announced its highly anticipated return to Lewisham Shopping Centre in spring, promising to be bigger, bolder, and better than ever.

The reopening is part of early renewal of Lewisham Shopping Centre, with Landsec planning to reopen Model Market in its original site.

As reported by Yahoo Finance, LandsecU+I’s planning application includes demolition work aimed at initiating an early phase of transformation next year, which will include a new street market and square on the site of the former market.

What Is the Wider Lewisham Shopping Centre Regeneration Plan?

The reopening comes as part of the phased regeneration of Lewisham Shopping Centre, which also includes fresh public spaces, a new music venue, and additional shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars .

Lewisham Council’s Strategic Planning Committee has approved Landsec’s £1.5 billion plans to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre, unlocking major benefits and improvements for local people and visitors alike.

As reported by the Guardian via Lewisham Council news, the redevelopment will bring hundreds of new homes, jobs, and cultural spaces to the heart of Lewisham, complementing the £24m investment from the Council to improve the high street, Lewisham Market, and Lewisham Library.

The scheme includes a reimagined shopping centre with a wider choice of shops, cafés, and restaurants, a new culture and live music venue, new housing, a street-food market, park, and community spaces.

The proposals include a 500-capacity community-led culture and live music venue and a not-for-profit community café, complemented by a new public park and meadow the size of a Premier League football pitch. New public squares, improved walking and cycling routes, and a dedicated family playground are also part of the plans.

As reported by BDCA Magazine, LandsecU+I, the regeneration arm of FTSE100 real estate giant Landsec, has submitted ambitious plans to transform Lewisham Shopping Centre into a vibrant, sustainable town centre. The proposed redevelopment aims to deliver a blend of housing, green spaces, and lively social areas, revitalising the site while preserving its role as a community hub.

The plans envision 1,700 new homes, 445 co-living units, and accommodation for up to 660 students. Alongside housing, the development will introduce a pedestrianised high street with a variety of restaurants, cafés, and bars, plus a 500-person live music venue, creating a new cultural destination for the borough.

To support continuity for the local community, the redevelopment will take a phased approach, allowing sections of the existing shopping centre to remain open throughout construction.

LandsecU+I plans to retain as much of the original structure as possible, preserving key aspects of the centre’s heritage while introducing modern, sustainable elements.

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Background: The History and Development of Model Market

Model Market’s roots date back to the 1950s, when it was a general market renowned for its Black-owned .

Before becoming a street food hub, Model Market was a trading site for many small Black-owned businesses dating back to the 1950s. In 2014, the market pivoted to become a street food market operated by Street Feast, the outfit behind Street Feast in Dalston and Dinerama in Shoreditch.

According to DesignMyNight, which previewed the market’s 2014 opening,

“The brains behind Street Feast are bringing their night time street food market to Lewisham. Model Market is an abandoned 1950s indoor and outdoor market just off Lewisham High Street and will be supplying fantastic street food, delicious drinks and great music”.

The market quickly became hugely popular after reopening as a street food market in 2014.

In the wake of Covid, Street Feast went under, and Model Market called it a day, closing in September 2021 .

The last that Lewishamites saw of Model Market was in 2021, when it was shut down.

As reported by Facebook group members discussing the market’s history, “Model Market/Black Market first opened in 1930”, though most sources cite the 1950s as the period when it became known for Black-owned businesses.

As reported by TikTok user James Walsh,

“This is a huge moment for Lewisham. The Model Market has always been more than a night out. It started life as a trading site for Black-owned businesses”.

The market has been described as “Lewisham’s iconic Model Market” and “beloved street food market” by multiple sources.

Prediction: How Will Model Market’s Reopening Affect Lewisham Residents and South London’s Food Community?

The reopening of Model Market will likely create significant economic opportunities for local businesses and South London creatives, as organisers are especially encouraging applications from local businesses. Paul Redden’s statement that the revival

“creates new opportunities for local businesses and cultural connection”

suggests the market will prioritise community benefit.

For Lewisham residents, the market will restore a “much-loved destination for the community” that closed five years ago, providing a social hub in the heart of Lewisham with food, music, and cultural programming. The market’s designation as a “social hub” delivering DJ sets, pop-ups, and live music means residents will have access to regular cultural events beyond just dining.

The wider £1.5 billion redevelopment approved by Lewisham Council will bring hundreds of new homes, jobs, and cultural spaces to the heart of Lewisham.

This means Lewisham residents may see increased property development, new job opportunities, and enhanced public spaces including a park the size of a Premier League football pitch.

However, the impending demolition of parts of the 1970s-built Lewisham town centre to build 1,700 new homes could affect current residents through construction disruption and potential changes to the neighbourhood’s character.

The phased approach allowing sections of the existing shopping centre to remain open throughout construction aims to minimise disruption to the local community.

For South London’s street food community, Model Market’s promise to be “bigger, bolder, and better than ever” with vendor applications open until March 1, 2026, presents significant opportunities for independent chefs and food traders to join a revitalised market.

The market’s commitment to “championing local talent” and its nostalgic design inspired by mid-century shopfronts combined with “modern, sustainable values” positions it as a potential leader in sustainable street food culture.

The £24m Council investment to improve the high street, Lewisham Market, and Lewisham Library alongside Landsec’s redevelopment means Lewisham’s overall town centre infrastructure will improve, potentially benefiting all local businesses beyond just Model Market vendors.