05-11-2007
Camden next victim in the independent retail battle
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of business insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
Camden is to lose two of its colourful, historic marketplaces to a new, futuristic, shopping complex development.
Visitors to the area, hoping to grab a bargain from one of the independent stalls in Stables Market will now find themselves faced with a building site, as property developers turn the historic site into a massive, modern shopping centre.
Despite the developers aiming to keep many of the existing features of the site - previously a horse hospital - the prospect of Camden losing much of its unique atmosphere and tradition has incensed Londoners and retailers alike.
Stall-holders who ran businesses from the old site have been re-housed by the developers in an underground space, however they are unhappy due to lack of space and declining business. Many feel that by the time the new shopping centre is available again, they may have been forced to close.
Traders have reported that they were pressured into signing a petition in favour of the development by managers of the site.
Objectors have signed various online and off-line petitions against the project in the hope that the council will change their plans, but to no avail.
The Camden developments marks yet another blow in London for independent business.