The news will come as a relief to dealers at Bermondsey Antiques Market, who are doing their best to continue trading despite the disruption caused by the ongoing construction work in the square. The South London antiques market is continuing to operate every Friday from 4am to 2pm in a small section of the site in front of the construction hoardings.
The council's executive member for regeneration, Richard Thomas, met with the newly-formed Bermondsey Antique Market Traders Association last week to discuss how the regeneration scheme was shaping up.
"Redevelopment is inevitably disruptive to local people, but the council is doing all it can to make the transition as smooth as possible," he said.
"What we need to do is support businesses and local people throughout this transitional period so that traders and residents alike can reap the benefits of what will be a fantastic place to live and work."
The scheme will eventually see a new public square large enough for 200 market stalls. Being built around the square is a 60-seat cinema, a boutique hotel, affordable housing as well as office and retail units.
The work started in May 2006, but the designs had to be altered after archaeological remains of the 12th century Bermondsey Abbey were uncovered.
