Future 'looking quite bleak' for market cafe

Bosses at a popular cafe say they have been left confused after being told their lease would not be renewed.

Emma Layton said she wanted market bosses to explain why Maria's Market Cafe, which has been trading for 65 years, was being forced out of its prime spot in the middle of Borough Market, south-east London.

"The future's looking quite bleak. There's already a sense of loss, remorse and confusion," she said.

Borough Market said: "Decisions following a lease expiry are made through a formal review process that considers a range of factors."

Maria's Market Cafe has been a fixture since 1961 [Thomas Magill/BBC]

It is thought the business is one of the oldest operating in Borough Market.

With 15 million tourists visiting the market each year, staff say the cafe attracts huge numbers of diners, keen to sample its famous bubble and squeak, fry-ups and builder's tea.

Layton said she just wanted to keep "employing locals, feeding locals, supporting tourism, supporting the market and its other traders".

Addressing market bosses, she said: "Give us an understanding if there is something we can do to remain or at least why this has come about."

Maria Moruzzi opened the business in 1961 in what was then a wholesale fruit and vegetable market selling produce to greengrocers all over the capital.

The current King and Queen called in for a cuppa with her during a visit to the market in 2013.

In 2021, Moruzzi sold the cafe to its current owner Mark Aldridge, who promised to keep its traditional menu and authentic British feel.

Borough Market has operated at its current location near London Bridge since 1756 and is run by a charitable trust on behalf of the community.

Layton hopes her social media campaign and support from other traders, local residents and visitors will encourage bosses to have a change of heart.

She has also begun legal proceedings in a bid to stay.

Borough Market added: "Discussions on individual tenancies are confidential. It would not be appropriate to comment on the specific factors relating to this case."

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