A Brixton Village trader has expressed despair after bailiffs changed the locks on his restaurant following a single missed rent payment. William Mejia, owner of Salpiké, was locked out by landlord Hondo Enterprises on April 24, despite having made significant efforts to reduce his arrears.
Financial Struggles and Lockout
Mejia initially owed over £80,000 in arrears but had agreed to pay £8,000 monthly from early February. However, an additional £1,000 request for gas and fire alarm certificates pushed his finances to the limit. He had been paying an extra £2,000 weekly for two months but could not make the payment due to quiet trading caused by Tube strikes. When he returned to collect earnings, the locks were changed. He stated, 'They said I missed the deadline and that was it.'
Impact on Family and Livelihood
The lockout has devastated Mejia, who supports his sister and elderly mother through the restaurant. He said, 'Without this restaurant, I don't want to live. I've been working so hard just to pay them and since Friday I've barely eaten.' His fridge is full of food that will spoil as he cannot access the premises. He has contacted Hondo Enterprises for a second chance but has received no reply.
Community Support and Backlash
Kat Miles, chair of the Brixton Market and Village Traders Association, condemned the treatment, stating, 'The repayment plan would break any business, but William has been doing his best. We demand Hondo Enterprises let him back into his shop.' Mejia has also sought support from Brixton MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy. The restaurant, known for Afro-Caribbean cuisine, gained viral fame in 2025 after a marketer helped revamp it, attracting influencers and rapper Stormzy. Despite this, Mejia struggles with falling footfall and poor market conditions.
