The end of London's Latin quarter?

By Kieron Monks, CNN

Updated 1503 GMT (2303 HKT) January 3, 2018

Concept image of the Grainger plc regeneration plan for Seven Sisters, which would see one of London's largest Latin clusters replaced with around 200 homes and retail chains.
Photos: Latin London
Vision of the future – Concept image of the Grainger plc regeneration plan for Seven Sisters, which would see one of London's largest Latin clusters replaced with around 200 homes and retail chains.
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The Seven Sisters market contains dozens of Latin American businesses, and also functions as a social hub. <br /><br />Traders are now threatened with demolition of the site, potentially next year.
Photos: Latin London
Party over? – The Seven Sisters market contains dozens of Latin American businesses, and also functions as a social hub.

Traders are now threatened with demolition of the site, potentially next year.
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Map of store nationalities in the market, dominated by Latin American and particularly Colombian businesses.
Photos: Latin London
Little Colombia – Map of store nationalities in the market, dominated by Latin American and particularly Colombian businesses.
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The 'Pueblito Paisa' cafe at the front of Seven Sisters market, a popular location for concerts, live sport and empanadas. <br /><br />Pueblito - meaning little village - is also used as a name the indoor market
Photos: Latin London
Lilttle village – The 'Pueblito Paisa' cafe at the front of Seven Sisters market, a popular location for concerts, live sport and empanadas.

Pueblito - meaning little village - is also used as a name the indoor market
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Campaigners from the Ward's Corner Community Coalition, which is fighting to save the market from developers, with children of market traders.
Photos: Latin London
Extended family – Campaigners from the Ward's Corner Community Coalition, which is fighting to save the market from developers, with children of market traders.
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The market also doubles as a childcare center where parents can keep an eye on their kids while working.
Photos: Latin London
Multi-tasking – The market also doubles as a childcare center where parents can keep an eye on their kids while working.
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Many traders say the market is an important source of social support beyond its economic value. <br /><br />Chef Fabian was injured during the 7/7 bombings in London, and says the market offers a form of therapy that he suffers without.
Photos: Latin London
Social support – Many traders say the market is an important source of social support beyond its economic value.

Chef Fabian was injured during the 7/7 bombings in London, and says the market offers a form of therapy that he suffers without.
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London's other major Latin community in Elephant and Castle is also under threat from development. <br /><br />Advocacy group Latin Elephant has found over 100 Latin American businesses in the area such as Elephant Coffee (pictured).
Photos: Latin London
Home from home – London's other major Latin community in Elephant and Castle is also under threat from development.

Advocacy group Latin Elephant has found over 100 Latin American businesses in the area such as Elephant Coffee (pictured).
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Elephant and Castle is currently undergoing regeneration worth over $3 billion, but it is unclear whether existing communities will be beneficiaries or victims of the transformation.
Photos: Latin London
Who benefits? – Elephant and Castle is currently undergoing regeneration worth over $3 billion, but it is unclear whether existing communities will be beneficiaries or victims of the transformation.
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seven sisters regenerationlatin london SEVEN SISTERS MARKET MAPpueblito paisalatin campaignersseven sisters kidscolombia fabianelephant coffeeelephant construction

Story highlights

  • London's largest Latin clusters at risk of displacement
  • Traders have mobilized a popular campaign to save much-loved market

(CNN)On Saturday nights, Lita Kaguawajigashi invites a singer to perform for lively crowds at her restaurant the Pueblito Paisa.

"When people pass they think they are in Colombia," she laughs.
    It is easy to get that impression at the Seven Sisters market in North London, home to one of the two largest Latin American business clusters in the city.
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      The indoor market is a dense labyrinth of cafes, hair salons and financial traders, where the music reverberates, the aromas are tempting and young children hurtle along the corridors.
      But there is tension mixed into the party atmosphere. The site was recently served with a Compulsory Purchase Order by Haringey Council, ahead of planned development that would see the market demolished.
      Five years on from the devastating riots that tore through the neighborhood, the council is determined to transform one of the city's most deprived boroughs into an affluent commercial hub. A £65 million ($79 million) scheme with development giant Grainger plc would see 196 apartments and several chain stores take the place of the market.
      The council claims this would bring new jobs and increased revenue to the area, but the existing occupants and their many supporters argue that something priceless would be lost.