Could Sydenham's new summer night market become a year-round destination?

A new Friday night market has arrived in Sydenham, with Lewisham Council hoping the 10-week pilot will attract visitors, boost local businesses and breathe new life into the high street after dark.

Each Friday throughout the summer, Station Approach will be transformed into a street food market featuring independent traders from across the borough, as part of the Greater London Authority (GLA) Summer Streets programme.

The council secured funding from the mayor of London's £500,000 fund, which aims to support al fresco dining across London, and encourage people to spend more time in their local high streets and public spaces during the summer.

The council says the market aims to make Sydenham "a go-to destination for summer evenings". But will it deliver?

The market was launched after Lewisham Council analysed GLA footfall data and identified Sydenham as an area with the potential to benefit from additional investment. 

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said the pilot was designed to increase footfall, encourage residents to shop locally and support small businesses.

"This was a data-led piece of work ..We looked at footfall, available public space and feedback from local businesses before deciding Sydenham was the right place to pilot the programme."

Success will be measured through footfall data, trader performance, resident feedback and whether the Food Market Company, the market operator, believes the scheme is sustainable beyond the initial 10 weeks.

Lewisham mayor Liam Shrivastava believes the market could help raise Sydenham's profile beyond the borough.

"I think what this night market will do is make Sydenham a destination and really put it on the map .. it brings people here and demonstrates that we have a really welcoming public space right next to the station.

"If we invest in our night-time economy, we can really help boost the local economy." 

Among the traders was Marcia Lester, founder of Maci's Authentic Rum Cakes, who hopes events like this will help her growing business reach new customers. "We're not just sharing our products, we're sharing knowledge, experiences and information. That helps all of us grow," she said.

"Independent businesses continue to face rising costs, including increasing ingredient prices, rent and energy bills," she added, making community events even more valuable.

Alongside rum cakes, you can find Indian street food, brownies stall, crepes, halal street food, bao buns and much more.

Nearby businesses also hope the increased footfall will have a positive impact. Paula, who has owned Outback Hair Salon opposite the market for 29 years, said the event had already introduced new customers to her business.

"We've already had a couple of ladies pop in because of the night market," she said.

"They asked how long we'd been here, and when I said 29 years, they couldn't believe it." She added that she would like to see more people shopping locally rather than online.

Market trader Polly, owner of Slate N Crumb, said regular events help independent businesses become more visible. "They help get your business out there and people start to recognise you. That's the great thing about markets; they bring people together."

Residents attending the opening night were similarly optimistic. Local resident Zach, who discovered the market after leaving the station, said he hoped it would "bring the area alive" by encouraging more people to spend time on the high street.

Whether the market becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen.

Lewisham Council says it will review the pilot once the 10 weeks have ended, before deciding whether to extend the scheme.

For traders, businesses and residents alike, however, the opening night suggested there is an appetite for a livelier high street after dark.

The Sydenham Night Market runs outside of Sydenham overground station every Friday from 5pm to 10pm until 18 September, with more stalls being added over the coming weeks.

Lewisham council states that although the road is temporarily closed between 3pm and 11pm on market days, support is available for disabled station users who need vehicle access. Please contact business@lewisham.gov.uk

Sign-up for our free weekly newsletter - Salamander News in your inbox