Businesses on Peckham Rye have reported devastating losses after the road was cordoned off for 10 days over fears that a more than 100-year-old cinema tower could collapse. The closure, which began on Thursday, September 3, has led to rotten stock, a sharp drop in customers, and claims of inadequate notice from Southwark Council.
Emergency closure and its toll on traders
Ahmad Zada, owner of Rye Afro Caribbean Foods, described the situation as catastrophic. "My business has been killed," he said. "All of my fish have expired, all my planting, chillis, lemons, bananas, it's all lost. I'm losing thousands just in meat, I've lost about £5,000 to £6,000." Zada noted that while the street is set to reopen on Saturday, recovery will take time: "They reopen [the street] on Saturday, but bringing the business back to the same level is going to take some time. We had no notice; if we had notice, then we could have come up with a plan."
Zada also pointed to long-standing visible cracks on the tower, saying, "The cracks were there for at least six months before I walked through there every day. I saw the night the police and the fire brigade came; it's not from now. We have barely any customers now." He added that a recent business rates letter from the council showed an increase, and he fears closure if conditions persist: "If business continues like this, then we will shut down, and I will lose 14 years of my hard work."
Other businesses report significant losses
Akbar Khan, owner of Khan's Bargains for 27 years, said the incident was an emergency, with cracks visible for years. He noted the council promised to liaise with insurers and compensate affected businesses, but acknowledged recovery will be gradual: "It'll open on Saturday, but when the road closes, we will lose a lot of customers as they will go another way around. The council promised us that they will liaise with the insurers and they will compensate those affected." Khan also highlighted the impact on residents and the broader community.
Another business reported losses exceeding £3,000 during the closure week. Qiamuddimu, a worker at Khan's Mobile, called it the worst he has seen in business on Rye Lane.
Council response and next steps
Abhinav Saxena, owner of Rye Lane Bagels, reported a 40 per cent drop in sales compared to the past two years. "You usually get people going to the station, but we are not getting that," he said. Saxena relies on word-of-mouth promotion and fears for his survival if suppliers are not paid: "I don't really see any support from the council, and that building is owned by the council; they should have been looking after it before. They say that if they don't pay, they won't extend credit, and we won't be able to open."
Southwark Council has dispatched officers to support affected businesses, with some owners told they may be entitled to compensation from insurers. The council aims to reopen the road on Saturday, September 12, subject to the completion of emergency stabilisation work. Councillor James McAsh, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "I want to update you on the closure of Rye Lane following safety concerns at the former cinema site. I know this is causing disruption for residents, businesses, and visitors. Thank you for your patience while we carry out work to make the site safe." He detailed coordination with structural engineers, Building Control, Highways, Transport for London (TfL), and specialist teams, with crews working around the clock on scaffolding. Residents who had to leave their homes have been placed in hotels, and the council is working with landlords to ensure they receive help. Diversion routes are in place, and the council urges the public to follow signage and avoid the exclusion zone.
