Two of the most established wholesale traders in Borough are to leave the historic market after a long running dispute with trustees.
EA Sugarman and A&W Bourne are understood to be leaving the market in the next few weeks following negotiations with the board of trustees over the departure.
The market has received a plethora of requests for the vacated space and further space set to become available on the market.
Tenants’ association chairman Andrew Sugarman is the second of three generations of his family to have worked at Borough Market since his father Emmanuel opened wholesale business EA Sugarman & Sons back in 1959.
The businesses are to relocate outside of the market, following L Booth Ltd which vacated its premises last year. G Rowe Ltd remains on the market.
The move follows months of tension between The Borough Market (Southwark) Trust and the traders, with the issue narrowly avoiding going to court.
As FPJ went to press, Sugarman and Martin Bourne were engaged in discussions with market authorities which they each hoped would help find an amicable resolution to their differences as they depart.
Borough Market’s md Glenis Reagon said in a joint statement with the traders: “Whatever the outcome of our discussions, we wish Andrew and Martin well and appreciate the contribution they have made to the wholesale market. The market will continue to expand our wholesale offer and to encourage a diverse and thriving environment as we have for retail traders.”
Sugarman said: “We are pleased to be engaged in a useful dialogue with Borough Market which will enable us all to move forward and regardless of the final outcome we look forward to continued good relations with a market that has been home for a very long time.”
The market is due to reclaim an area of land when Network Rail completes construction work in 2012. Eight spaces will then be available, with 19 wholesale applicants already vying for the spots. Sources suggest three will be fresh produce wholesalers likely to be dealing in speciality produce.
