Recent Projects

Queens Market, Upton Park, London E13

Queens Market sits next to what many would say is London’s finest football ground - Upton Park, home to West Ham United, in an area as ethnically- diverse as it is vibrant. Like most London markets it is administered by the Borough as a self-erect “casual” market on a public highway. The offer is predominantly low-cost groceries and household goods complemented by the adjacent lock-up shops offering butchery, poultry and textiles. The 1960’s cardeck above does give some weather protection but it is in poor structural condition and the whole site overdue for redevelopment. Quarterbridge is providing design and legal advice to the development partners: St. Modwen Properties plc and the London Borough of Newham.

Queens Market is Big, Busy and Boisterous. It’s popularity with shoppers is dependent on low prices so the design challenge is to offset low profit margins by enabling high sales volumes. Continuity of trade will be achieved during the redevelopment by roofing-over and decanting the market onto the adjacent pedestrian plaza, but maintaining goods deliveries, waste removal and shopper parking during this major building contract will be a challenge. Once completed however the new Queens Market will accommodate more stalls, have secure storage on site for 6-day traders and a more prominent frontage to Green Street.