Mercato Metropolitano in Ilford confirms plans to reopen

Metropolitan Mercato Ilford was launched on July 11 last year, but after six months it temporarily closed in early January of this year.

The business aims to create a space for local artisanal merchants to cook and sell food in a market environment.

A Mercato spokesman revealed that the temporary closure was actually “always part of the overview” of business participation “in Ilford.

She said: “Our agreement with Redbridge was that we would open for six months and then evaluate where we were.

“We do not do it because people who think we have closed after six months because that is not the case.

The place closed in early January to evaluate how it can be improved (Image: Newsquest) “It was always part of the general panorama of opening and seeing what passes for six months as part of an Ilford regeneration scheme with Redbridge; at this time we have learned many and task many comments from the community.

“We believe there is a better way to serve the community with this space.”

The place of Ilford was one of the five locations in London Mercato, the others in Elephant Park, Elephant and Castle, Mayfair and Wood Wharf.

According to the Mercato website, only letter three is still open today.

The adventure in eastern London was part of the Spark Ilford Regeneration Project of the Redbridge Council and created about 100 new jobs in the area.

The spokesman added: “We are working at this time with Redbridge in some really exciting plans, but we still can’t say anything.

“With luck, in the middle of summer we could share some news.

“We hope to travel this year, but we will have a better idea at the end of June.”

She said that celebrating events for Christmas, Diwali and the month of black history allowed Mercato to “connect” with the community and understand their desires and needs.