You never quite know what will greet you as you step foot outside Brixton tube station.
From steel drums, to lively party-goers and the strong smell of incense (mixed in with hot dogs) wafting through the air, it’s an assault on the senses.
Influencer Olan Tekkers went viral on TikTok after painting a particularly vivid picture of the South London station, saying: ‘This place is the jungle, it’s not normal at all man, it’s a simulation.’
Others have described it as ‘like a fever dream’ and that ‘it’s like coming out a portal into another world’.
But if there wasn’t already enough going on here, the last stop on the Victoria Line could be getting a new addition, as plans for an ‘attractive new restaurant’ within the station have been proposed by TfL.
(Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
The dining spot would be situated in the disused back of the station, which backs onto Electric Lane, formerly used by tube workers as a recreational space.
The plans, submitted by TfL’s property arm, Places for London, were given to Lambeth Council, who will decide whether or not to give it the go ahead.
According to the planning documents there will be an ‘enhanced frontage’ to ‘improve the appearance of a building which is currently identified to make a negative contribution to the character and appearance of the Brixton conservation area.’
The application claims that the Five Guys restaurant situated at the north entrance of Electric Lane sets a precedent for there to be more dining spots on the former mews street.
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The metal shutters, currently pasted with graffiti will be replaced with new entrance doors to the restaurant and two large windows, along with ventilation.
It’s not currently known what type of restaurant this establishment will be, although the mock up image in the planning proposals indicates a more refined dining experience, rather than a fast-food chain.
Anti-social behaviour concerns
Plans for this new restaurant also addressed the risk of the new venue attracting antisocial behaviour, which Places for London have said will be minimised by not offering takeaways.
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It will also have opening hours of 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, and close at midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Anti-social behaviour around the tube station has been a concern for some time, with the area having the twelfth-highest crime rate out of London’s 624 Safer Neighbourhood Teams – putting it among the top 2%.
A survey by ACTION on ASB – a Brixton community campaign taking action against high levels of anti-social behaviour like ‘human toileting, loitering, intimidation, theft and vandalism’ – also found that 75% of residents think anti-social behaviour is ‘out of control’ in the area.
'Brixton is like having a sixth sense activated': What locals think about the proposed restaurant
Despite its cons, many residents and visitors have a lot of love for the Lambeth area.
Our very own lifestyle and property beat reporter Eleanor Noyce is a Brixton local and says there’s ‘never a dull moment’.
‘I’ve been here on and off for about three years now, and I’ve had all manner of interesting experiences, to say the least,’ she says.
‘Obviously, coming out of the tube station is always a sensory-enhancing experience, from the beloved steel drum man (who I’ve often heard playing an Ariana Grande megamix and on occasion, Ed Sheeran), to the guy who sells hotdogs late at night (usually after a headline gig at the Academy).
‘It’s like having a sixth sense activated as there’s always so much going on at all times of the day, but it’s part of the reason I love it so much.’
It’s proximity to Brockwell Park, the O2 Academy, and The Ritzy cinema are all part of what adds to its charm for Eleanor, and the news of this new eatery is definitely welcomed.
‘The news that Brixton Station is getting a restaurant is certainly exciting – I’m hoping it’ll be another independent one to add to Brixton’s diverse list,’ she adds.
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