Reliance Arcade

A excessively narrow arcaded alleyway with shallow “market” stalls under a glazed roof that’s quite distinctive and quirky. Grade II listed (1926 build) with a bold and exuberant“jukebox” motif over the Brixton Road entrance and an original Art Deco facade featuring faux-Egyptian decorative detailing on the Electric Lane entrance. Embedded in local community lore and lifestyle but with little here for the inquisitive sojourner.

Opposite Jay, fine, famous, Cobbler, are some delightful cards to view, buy. Found one today, not seen anywhere else. Delightful lady who served me, thank you.

Special offers on phones for Christmas 🎄 and new year

This characterful and unique covered market in the heart of Brixton, situated in a Art Deco style and Grade II listed building, was built into an existing Georgian house (along a strip of land once occupied by the back gardens) between 1923-1925 by Andrews and Peascod. The Electric Lane façade is a rare, beautiful and treasured surviving example of Egyptian-style (Art Deco-style) terracotta/ceramic architecture in London, which was in vogue following the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 and the Paris "International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts" of 1925. The style was a relatively short-lived fashion in 1920s London, and so there are very few remaining examples. The narrow covered shopping arcade connects Electric Lane to Brixton Road, and incorporates a glazed roof with rich variety of unique and small shop units, located on either side of the avenue, that have been serving the local community for decades. On entering you will find yourself in an other world, the thoroughly ungentrified Brixton world, where you may find niche reggae and rocksteady music, authentic african textiles, unconventional greetig cards, a proper cobbler, a lovely seamstress, wigs and waves, hair extensions, virgin hair, unique braid hair styles and unbelievable Afro-Caribbean style hairdressers. Welcome to Brixton!

A disgusting run down alley. People avoid going through as it looks hyper dodgy and unsafe.

The arcade has got various stalls; hair dressing, popcorn, watches and phones, birthday cards etc.

I found Injera here. If you want to buy it ready made they sell it in this arcade. Thank you Brixton ☺️

Lots of interesting shops, to definitely look at, alongside each other