Mercato Metropolitano Elephant & Castle to trade through 2026

Mercato Metropolitano’s Elephant & Castle food hall in south London has confirmed that it remains open and will continue to trade until the end of 2026.

 

In March, it was announced the site is due to be redeveloped following Southwark Council’s approval of the Borough Triangle building project. This will see construction company Berkeley Group create 44-storey and 38-storey skyscrapers at the location, containing nearly 900 new homes.

 

An office block, a café or retail space and a new community centre will also form part of the development.

 

Part of the site currently houses Mercato Metropolitano’s original London food hall, which has been in operation since 2016.

 

Dee Salih, director of brand and marketing at Mercato Metropolitano, said: “Despite recent incorrect speculation, the market is open, thriving and we have lots more exciting things to look forward to in 2026.”

 

The formerly abandoned paper factory now plays host to street food traders including Fresco Pizzeria Napoletana, Hermanos Tacos, Argentinean Grill and Himalayan Dumplings.

 

The Borough Triangle development will include a new food hall space, and Berkeley will give first right of application to Mercato Metropolitano’s current traders.

 

The developer is also offering a £200,000 relocation fund for the remaining traders as well as £40,000 for an independent business adviser to guide traders through the relocation process.

 

Mercato Metropolitano said it will make further announcements about the site’s future early in the new year.

 

The Borough Triangle development is due to begin construction in 2026, with completion slated for 2034.

 

Mercato Metropolitano surrendered the lease of the Elephant & Castle site to a third party last December.

 

The food hall operator opened a site in Ilford, east London, in July 2024, though it has since temporarily closed. It also runs London food halls in Mayfair and Canary Wharf.