Brixton has long had a strong sense of its own identity

Brixton has long had a strong sense of its own identity — from its bustling street market to its vibrant community. And how better to cement this sense of being a “London village” than to launch your own regional currency. The Brixton pound was introduced a few months ago to keep recession-hit tills in this South London suburb ringing with Brixton-branded notes.

The B£20 note bears the image of Vincent Van Gogh, a surprising Brixtonite who lived there as a 20-year-old. Unrequited love for his landlady’s daughter meant he did not stay longer than a year, but he did leave behind a sketch of his boarding house that survives as his earliest known work. Artistic, media types and families are lured by the suburb’s gritty chic and increasingly great food.

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