The last three months have seen more significant and very visible progress in the Market’s redevelopment programme, according to Tony O’Reilly, CGMA’s Project Director.

“The weather during February was cold, but dry and that allowed groundwork in preparation for the build of section B2 to continue apace and finish in time for the first steels to go up in mid-March,” said Tony. “Winds on March 13th put that momentous occasion back by a day, but as evidenced by the series of photos, the construction work moved on very quickly from that date on, despite March being the wettest on record.”

The new section, comprising of 24 units, will be completed early next year and become the new home for four wholesalers, Gilgrove, French Garden, Supreme Salads and Premier Fruits. The new block will feature the first part of the new buyers’ walk, measuring 6.5 metres in width.

Tony added: “Conversations about consultation with wholesale tenants have begun for phase 4 of the build, which is effectively the middle section of the same block – to link sections B1 and B2. The consultation period will finish in February 2024, by which time each wholesaler will know where they are moving to and the size of their units when that section is completed in February 2025.”

Another milestone in the last quarter saw the opening of the new Southern Access Road, on March 27th. The route is now the secondary exit from New Covent Garden Market, replacing the route previously in place alongside the railway line, and will allow entry for construction vehicles (only) into the Apex 1 plot; the northernmost plot at the tip of the Apex Site. All other vehicles will still enter the Market via Nine Elms Lane.

“Our emphasis has been on the safety aspect of the road and particularly the pedestrian crossing,” said Tony. “We have put two speed bumps in to regulate speeds and we have another one that could be installed should the need arise.”