The first of seven Saturday closures of Atlantic Road (above) this weekend (14 June) will see local businesses extend outdoor seating into the road and free attractions for all ages including interactive games, live music, entertainment and workshops.
Organised by the Brixton Business Improvement District (BID) the Reimagining Atlantic Road event is its vision for the future of the thoroughfare that is central to local commerce and history.
Once a busy retail centre with customers attracted by Brixton’s covered markets which flank the road, it has for several decades been transitioning towards an entertainment and tourist area.
The closure of the multi-storey car park where Pop Brixton now stands in 2009 and the blight caused by the eviction of longstanding local traders from railway arches along Atlantic Road in 2016 hastened this change.
Problems in the local night-time economy have also seen local venues like the Dogstar – originally the legendary Atlantic pub – close.
Anti-social behaviour, including the sale and use of illegal drugs is a major problem for the area at night.
The BID says the forthcoming Saturday closures will continue to build on its vision to “Reimagine Atlantic Road”.
“It has been working with Lambeth council’s Big Shift Team to put in place the series of monthly open street days.
On the second Saturday of each month from June to December this, the road will be closed to traffic and open to pedestrians.
The BID says the planned events on the street from noon to 6pm will provide activities for local people and the wider community in Brixton and attract visitors to the cafes, restaurants, bars and shops on Atlantic Road.
The road will be closed from 10am to 10 pm (details below).
Celebrating the Caribbean is the theme of the first closure on Saturday, marking the start of the celebrations for Windrush Day on Sunday 22 June.
Local cultural organisation Just Vibez will bring “a rich line-up of music, steel pan bands, live performances, and creative workshops for all ages,” turning Atlantic Road into a traffic-free zone filled with Caribbean sounds, tastes, and creativity.
The series of closures follows a trial day last year. The car-free events are organised in collaboration with Lambeth council’s Healthy Living Neighbourhoods programme.
The BID says they are designed “to give people space to eat, explore, connect and create – all while supporting local culture and businesses”.
Its “bold vision” for the street is being tested through the open street days, encouraging footfall and celebrating the surrounding businesses, the BID said.
Atlantic Road is also set to be visually transformed by replacement of the blue cladding along the length of the station platform on its northern side.
The Big Shift car free programme is part of Lambeth council’s drive to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport.
Other aspects of the scheme include community parklets, making e-cargo bikes available for hire and creating bike markets to make cycles affordable.
Atlantic Road will be closed to vehicles between Brixton Road and Coldharbour Lane, and Coldharbour Lane and Kellet Road (the latter section is already partly in a low traffic neighbourhood) on Saturdays 14 June; 12 July; 9 August; 13 September; 11 October; 8 November; and 13 December between 10am and 10pm.
No consultation with residents already suffering from noise pollution; Motorbikes going down the already pedestrianised area of Vinning street/Rushcroft road Metropolitan housing estate, without being dealt with, constant shouting at night, and now all day clashing sound systems which especially when it’s hot we have already. I’m not against buisness but some consideration and consultation. For instance having a sound system right at end of our road forcing their music on us. Which from here dosnt sound good and 8s invasive. Bars being given lisenses without planning permission.You should be making us feel welcome not alienated from all this. Inclusion not exclusion
This bold vision of the future does not sound right. Brixton is not the west end and Atlantic road is not Oxford Street. For people of African descent, the Atlantic is a reminder of the Trans Atlantic trade in enslaved people. Crack heads and street urchins hang out regularly on a street off Atlantic road, and nearby Brixton Station Road is popular with the road men who like hanging out on corners. These are things that need to be taken into consideration.