18.09.2020 Traders gear up for the big move as Castle Square prepares to launch

Independent traders are set to move to Castle Square, the new 5,000 sq ft retail and leisure space on Elephant Road

Castle Square, the new, temporary retail space on Elephant Road, will celebrate its opening on 25 September, with the first launch event on 26 September. Castle Square has been built so independent traders from the shopping centre can remain in the area whilst the new town centre is being built. The retail neighbourhood includes 5,000 sq ft of shops and eateries and also consists of new permanent shops and services on Ash Avenue. It gives 26 traders who have a long history of being based in the Elephant and Castle shopping centre the opportunity to continue to serve their regular customers. It also offers the wider community the opportunity to discover and enjoy the goods and services these businesses provide whilst the redevelopment of the town centre takes place.

Traders will be moving alongside existing restaurants Pizzeria Pappagone and TUPI to create a new vibrant neighbourhood community. All the retailers occupying the brand-new units will open on the 25 September, the day after the shopping centre closes on the 24 September. These include: 

Castle Square:

  • AA Grocery Store
  • Coma Y Beba
  • Natural Herbal Products
  • Anna Castro Boutique
  • AR Accessories
  • Ayca Sweets and Nuts
  • Games and Gadgets
  • Magic Carpet
  • Maya Clothing
  • Andrea’s Hair and Beauty
  • Kaiteur Kitchen
  • Forever Hair Salon
  • Raw Fashion
  • JZ Mobile
  • Daddy O’s
  • Laughland Communications
  • D & Eddy’s
  • Original Caribbean Spice
  • El Guambra Restaurant

Ash Avenue at Castle Square:

  • Lonnie’s Unisex Hair & Beauty Salon
  • Nicole’s Alterations
  • Medellin Moda
  • Stella Fashion
  • Z Repairs Watch & Phones
  • Inara Transfer

Popular Columbian eatery La Bodeguita Restaurant will be moving to a new home and is due to open in early 2021. Castle Square will also become the new home of the much-loved Elephant statue.  Ahead of the move, the statue will be refurbished and repainted before it takes up residence in its new elevated position in Castle Square for all to see in October.

Speaking on the Castle Square opening, Diana Barranco, Community Director for Elephant and Castle Town Centre, commented: “This is a really exciting time for these businesses and we’re delighted that so many well-known, local traders are looking forward to their next chapter at Castle Square. We have been working very closely with all shopping centre traders to support with relocation, and to ensure they can find new premises that suit their business needs. We are also pleased to have found space for the statue to remain in the heart of the community. It is an iconic landmark which has been the emblem for the area for more than five decades. We look forward to welcoming members of the community when we open Castle Square and Ash Avenue on 25 September. We have lots of entertainment and activities every weekend for six weeks starting on Saturday 26 September to celebrate the traders in their new home.”

Anna Castro, a tenant at the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre commented on the relocation of her ladies’ clothing store to Castle Square, saying: “I am excited to continue selling to my regular loyal customers and for welcoming new ones! This is an amazing area and a great opportunity for my business!”

A spokesperson from Sweet and Nuts: “We are delighted to carry on providing you with the delicious variety of products including popcorn, nuts, candy and slush in Elephant and Castle. Looking forward to seeing you in Castle Square!”

Claudia from Nicole’s alteration, said: “I am so happy to have the great opportunity to grow my business in a new location. I hope to keep contributing with my high-quality service of clothes alterations and repairs.”

The new units at Castle Square and Ash Avenue form part of a wider relocation strategy to support the independent traders in the lead up to closure and after the shopping centre has shut. Initiatives have included funding to support with the cost of relocation, increasing discounts in rent from September 2018 to nil rent and service charge payments since March, establishing a database of available retail premises in the area and providing free business and legal advice.

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