Traders at London's historic Ridley Road Shopping Village forced to leave as police close the arcade due to anti-social behaviour

"We call them 'beardies', and they've got good jobs in the city. They are the people who are going to live here"

Traders at Ridley Road Shopping Village in East London have been told they have to vacate their premises in just two weeks, as police look to shut down the location over alleged drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

The arcade is located next to the popular Ridley Road street market in Dalston, in East London.

The indoor market was due to close at the end of the year, to be replaced by luxury flats, but on October 11th the deadline was advanced to October 26th. This leaves traders with just a fortnight to make plans to vacate and find new locations. It also means they will miss out on vital Christmas trade.


Some traders have been their almost three decades.

As reported in the Hackney Gazette, the indoor market's bosses were served a community protection order, due to allegations of anti-social behaviour.