Help fund the Wards Corner Community Plan

Our story

In 2021, we saved the Seven Sisters Indoor Market (known locally as Latin Village) from corporate-led regeneration that would see the market demolished, replacing migrant-led businesses with chain stores. People said there was no way we could win. We showed how powerful our community is when it comes together. 

The Wards Corner Community Plan is a 20-year migrant-led coalition of local grassroots groups. The Community Plan will restore the Indoor Market and surrounding historic buildings back to being a lively cultural and social hub. Home to a diverse BME community of over 20 nationalities and 60 businesses, Wards Corner was the heart of our community. UN investigators designated it a "dynamic cultural hub" whose demolition would have "global implications."

Our vision is for the building to be owned and managed by the people of Tottenham, for the people of Tottenham through a one-member-one-vote Community Benefit Society. This exciting model of democratic, community-led redevelopment will invest millions back into the community through the vehicle of the Community Benefit Society. 

What's next?

This year we have an opportunity to finally make the community plan a reality. Transport for London are running a bidding process for the long leasehold of the site. 

The Community Plan has the formal support of 75% of the licensed traders (represented by the Seven Sisters Market Traders Association, SSMTA), hundreds of local residents and community groups. Now we need to demonstrate to Transport for London that we also have a viable business plan. Through the blood, sweat and tears of local volunteers, we have already:

• Registered the CBS with the Financial Conduct Authority 
• Developed our corporate and legal structure 
• Knocked on hundreds of doors and run weekly street stalls to engage more local residents in the plan 
• Signed up hundreds of supporters to the Community Benefit Society
• Built formal partnerships with local charities and businesses who will rent spaces in the building 
• Started to recruit a board which will include a trader sub-committee

What we need to fund 

To progress our plan further and ensure that we meet all the criteria for the public procurement, we now need to bring in professional contractors to ensure that our business plan is robust. In the next few months, we urgently need additional funds for: 

• Running additional community engagement workshops in Tottenham to ensure the development achieves the maximum benefit for local people
• Paying expert consultants to develop detailed design of the Community Plan including the technical, engineering and sustainability design
• Further development of the Wards Corner Community Benefit Society

Our mission

Community Ownership: the restored building will be owned and managed by market traders and the local community through a one-member-one-vote Community Benefit Society 

Affordable rents: rents for market traders will be maintained at existing levels

New community space: accessible social spaces, low-cost office space, an expanded market and dedicated community facilities will be created

Community Wealth Building: surplus generated by market rents will be reinvested into the upkeep of the building and to fund further local community initiative.

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