#SaveRidleyRoad campaigners and community supporters have once again resisted the eviction of traders from the Ridley Road Shopping Village
Protesters supporting the occupation of Ridley Road Shopping Village with Diane Abbott MP
Today Diane Abbott MP attended the site to talk to the traders and later said "I think the traders are being treated with disregard and very negatively. It's very unfair."
The landlord, Guy Ziser's Larochette Real Estate Inc based in the British Virgin Islands secretive tax haven, hoped to close the Shopping Village on 31 March. The landlord sent security men to lock up at 5pm but, having no possession warrant or right to use force, they later withdrew. The police also attended and, it seems, rightfully concluded that the peaceful community protest opposing the evictions was a private civil dispute with the landlord and that they would not intervene. The occupation of the Shopping Village is continuing 24/7, with supporters bringing essential supplies to the campaigners on site
#SaveRidleyRoad representative Danny Hayward talks about the occupation of the Ridley Road Shopping Village on 4th April 2026. SaveRidleyRoad is an alliance of traders with the local community
All traders had received Mr Ziser's recent letter advising them of the planned closure and stating that there was "no allegation of wrongdoing against you personally". He has since described some traders as “drug dealers and counterfeit good sellers" and community supporters as "trespassers" and landlord bashers". Mr Ziser has threatened to commence Court proceedings for an Order to recover possession of the Shopping Village. He had previously been promising temporary storage and future tenancies for a few traders, but he has since withdrawn that offer and threatened to close the Shopping Village permanently. Everyone is to be penalised in an act of no fault eviction and collective punishment.
Local Ward Councillor Zoe Garbett, Green party, talks about the occupation of the Ridley Road Shopping Village on 4th April 2026
Community campaigner Mariam talks about the occupation of Ridely Road Shopping Village on 4 April 2026.
You can read more about the background to the Shopping Village story by clicking here
(Note: Although traders have to pay tax on their earnings, developers often use off-shore companies registered in tax havens, like the British Virgin Islands, to avoid contributing to society by paying UK taxes which are used to fund our schools, NHS, state pensions and other public services. Ed.)
