Retail giant Sports Direct has bought the Popes Road buildings the popular rooftop venue occupies, and planned works to be carried out on the roof have prematurely ended the brand’s five-year lease less than half way through its tenancy.
Sports Direct told local paper Brixton Blog that it plans to build a new store on the site. Reports also say that the company is front runner to buy the neighbouring Brixton Village.
“Due to building renovations planned, the Brixton Rooftop team have been given notice and asked to vacate,” says a Brixton Rooftop spokesperson.
“We hope to be back, and discussions are still being conducted for a hopeful and welcome return to our Brixton home.”
The brand says it is currently looking for new sites, and several of the team behind the concept are developing splinter concepts across the capital.
Since launching in November 2015, Brixton Rooftop has established a reputation as being one of the area’s most popular venues for food and drink.
The site hosts a rotating roster of street food vendors, some of whom have gone on to become staples of the street food scene. Popular traders have included the likes of StakeHaus, Del74, True North Poutine, Mac to the Future and Nanban.
The site has also hosted events, including Cheese Town, Oktoberfest, London Rooftop Taco Festival and Chilli Con Carnival.
Other recent restaurant closures include Paradise Garage in Bethnal Green, 8 Hoxton Square and Kensington Roof Gardens in High Street Kensington, which closed this month after 37 years in business.