Successful opening at Vauxhall food hall gives hope to traders amid rising costs

Market Place, a new south London food hall, is “more than happy” after being on track to finish its opening month with a profit 58 per cent above forecasted predictions.

Situated under the arches next to Vauxhall station, the venue contains 12 different food stalls, a bar, and a communal dining area.

The drinking and dining venue, which opened on 23 September, supports small street food vendors by taking away rent costs and minimising concerns over rising electricity, gas, and supply by creating a community of traders under one roof.

Fae Magee, the hall’s manager, said: “We tackle back of house costs for them which cuts down about 33 per cent of what they would be doing if they were trying to run their own restaurant.”.

When discussing rising costs, Alberto Talo, founder of Made in Puglia, an Italian stall serving fresh pizza and pasta, said: “Flour was £16 a bag and now it’s gone up to £20 a bag. If we weren’t getting the business here, it would be a problem but we’re already getting returning customers so it's hopeful.”

Playing hosts to DJs on Friday and Saturdays, the space has already become a hotspot among diners in their 20s and 30s looking for a place to eat, drink, and relax at the weekend and after work.

“Our traders are hitting targets 90 per cent of the time,” said Ms Magee. She added: “We run the venue and the space which gives the ambience and the platform for our 12 traders to really prove themselves.

“We don’t want them to think about how to keep their restaurant warm. We need to make sure that they’re top tier every time they put the ladle to pan.”

Market Place Vauxhall is open seven days a week from 11.30am until late.