A loss of buyer for New Covent Garden Flower Market’s former ‘northern site’ will not impact traders moving to the new site or affect the official opening date of the new market, according to Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA).
The news follows a statement from developers St Modwen confirming that a “period of exclusivity” recently granted to a prospective buyer has expired, leading to speculation about the sale having fallen through.
Flower traders are in the process of relocating to the new market, with the official opening set for Monday 3 April. It had been pushed back previously to run operational trials ahead of the move, and to avoid peak flower trading around Mother’s Day.
A spokesperson for CGMA said the redevelopment is not affected by the sale, while plans for the move are 'full steam ahead'.
“The redevelopment of the market is not dependent on the sale of the northern site,' the spokesperson said.
A statement from St Modwen said: “St Modwen can confirm that a period of exclusivity which was recently granted to a prospective purchaser has now expired. The prime riverside site in central London has received high levels of interest and the sale process with other prospective purchasers continues.”
