Model Market Reopening Under German Kraft Brewery in Lewisham 2026

Key Points

• Reopening Schedule: Lewisham’s Model Market is on track to reopen later this year under new operational leadership, despite two previously target opening dates passing without commencement.
• New Operator: German Kraft, the independent craft brewery brand known for its involvement at Mercato Metropolitano near Elephant & Castle, has been appointed as the new site operator.
• Current Site Condition: Access gates to the location remain locked, with visible piles of rubble in the central courtyard as venue transformations continue.
• Development Context: The revival of the iconic food and beverage spot, which has remained closed since 2021, forms an early phase of the broader masterplan to redevelop Lewisham Shopping Centre by site owner Landsec.
• Target Diversity: Lewisham Council and developer Landsec agreed to prioritize start-ups and mandated that at least 50% of vendor businesses must be led by underrepresented groups, including female, Black, and global majority entrepreneurs, as well as individuals from low-income backgrounds.
• Ongoing Redevelopment Impasse: Full-scale redevelopment of the wider shopping centre precinct remains entangled in complex site assembly and compulsory purchase order (CPO) considerations, particularly concerning key landholdings such as the former Citibank tower.

Lewisham (South London News) October 8, 2026 – Lewisham’s popular Model Market venue remains on track to reopen to the public later this year, according to statements from its new operator, even as the location continues to sit vacant months past its initial targeted launch dates. The food, drink, and entertainment venue, which originally ceased operations in 2021, is scheduled to be revitalised as a precursor phase to the extensive multi-million-pound masterplan aimed at redeveloping the Lewisham Shopping Centre complex. However, perimeter security gates at the site currently remain padlocked, with viewable areas showing central mounds of rubble and ongoing preparatory groundworks.

When will Lewisham’s Model Market officially open to the public?

As reported by Darryl Chamberlain of The Greenwich Wire, site owner Landsec initially announced in December last year that “a reimagined street market for a new generation” would welcome visitors by spring. That timeline was later adjusted in June to a target of “late summer,” whilst signage currently displayed outside the retail complex states that opening will take place “later this year.”

German Kraft, the craft brewery team behind the venue setup at Mercato Metropolitano near Elephant & Castle, is managing the operational transition of the venue. As reported by Darryl Chamberlain of The Greenwich Wire, Felix Bollen, one of the founding partners of German Kraft, confirmed that the operational strategy remains focused on achieving a launch within the current calendar year.

Further detailing the operational arrangements, Sam Barker of Secret LDN reported that the venue had been scheduled for a late summer arrival under the new management team, with vendor applications actively being processed to bring local culinary creators back to the space.

What is the historical significance of the Model Market site?

As reported by Darryl Chamberlain of The Greenwich Wire, the location originally operated as a trading hub predominantly comprising Black-owned retail businesses through to the 2000s. The destination was subsequently repurposed in 2014 as a night-time street food and craft drinks market, gaining widespread popularity before shuttering seven years later in 2021 following the commercial collapse of its former operator, Street Feast.

Addressing the cultural legacy of the venue, local area representatives have underscored the socio-economic framework established for the venue’s return. As reported by James-J Walsh, Lewisham Cabinet Member, Lewisham Council reached a formal understanding with developer Landsec to ensure the renewed location actively supports emerging micro-enterprises. Under these terms, a minimum commitment has been instituted requiring at least 50 per cent of all space allocations to be granted to businesses led by underrepresented groups, including female entrepreneurs, Black and global majority business owners, and traders from lower-income backgrounds.

Why is the broader Lewisham Shopping Centre redevelopment delayed?

As reported by Darryl Chamberlain of The Greenwich Wire, the physical revival of the Model Market represents an early, interim phase of a larger comprehensive scheme designed to replace the existing covered shopping mall with an open-air precinct comprising retail, leisure, and residential facilities.

However, progress regarding the wider shopping centre transformation is contingent on intricate land acquisition procedures. As reported by Darryl Chamberlain of The Greenwich Wire, compulsory purchase order (CPO) proceedings have not yet formally commenced for critical surrounding parcels of land. The ultimate execution of the complete masterplan depends heavily on resolving landholdings and assembly challenges related to the former Citibank tower building, which sits adjacent to the primary development perimeter. Inquiries submitted to Landsec regarding updated project schedules for the main shopping centre development have yielded no official response.

Background of the particular development

The Lewisham Shopping Centre, originally constructed in the 1970s, has long served as the primary commercial anchor for Lewisham town centre. Over recent decades, shifting retail patterns and changing consumer habits prompted asset manager Landsec and its development arm Landsec U+I to draft comprehensive regeneration plans. The masterplan aims to demolish the aging covered retail center and substitute it with a residential-led, mixed-use town centre layout featuring public green space, modern commercial units, and pedestrianized streets.

The Model Market site, situated along the perimeter of the primary shopping centre footprint, was identified early in the planning consultation as an ideal location for early activation. By re-establishing the market before initiating heavy demolition on the main mall structures, developers aimed to preserve local footfall and support the area’s night-time economy. The closure of original operator Street Feast during the pandemic temporarily stalled these plans until the strategic partnership with German Kraft was established to manage the fit-out and tenant curation.

Prediction: How this development can affect local residents, independent traders, and the regional economy

The eventual reopening of the Model Market, alongside the broader redevelopment of Lewisham Shopping Centre, carries significant implications for various key stakeholder groups across South East London:

• Local Residents and Community Members: The return of an active night-time food and leisure venue provides a structured social space that has been largely missing from the town centre core since 2021. However, repeated timeline adjustments may foster temporary public fatigue or skepticism regarding the delivery speed of the wider urban renewal project.
• Independent Food Traders and Micro-Enterprises: The enforced 50 per cent diversity and underrepresented founder quota guarantees tangible access for local micro-businesses, culinary start-ups, and minority-owned enterprises. This operational model reduces barriers to entry in high-footfall zones, giving small vendors a launchpad to scale their operations.
• Local Commercial Real Estate and Surrounding Retailers: Prolonged uncertainty and padlocked gates along main thoroughfares can depress immediate footfall for surrounding high-street shops. Conversely, once operational, the revived market is expected to generate positive spillover effects, driving evening visitor traffic to nearby transport hubs, pubs, and independent retail outlets.
• Regional Housing and Infrastructure Planning: Until the broader land assembly and compulsory purchase issues concerning the commercial tower and retail footprint are fully resolved, the delivery of proposed new residential units and modernized public realm infrastructure will remain in suspense, extending the transition phase for Lewisham’s urban core.