Finn Brewster Doherty and Armin Khani
INDEPENDENT shop- keepers in Camden Town say they will start shutting up shop on the borough’s biggest high street if the Town Hall continues to organise events on their doorstep.
Traders in the newly pedestrianised Camden High Street say the impact of the road closure, brought in two months ago, and the hosting of Town Hall events has created a dramatic downturn in trade.
Two long-stand- ing shops have closed and others say they will not bother opening on days gigs are scheduled.
Events have so far have included musical performances with a purpose built stage in the middle of the road, and less formal pop up DJ sets.
Camden Council had said its traffic ban between the tube station down to Jamestown Road and Hawley Crescent would boost for businesses.
Armin Khani’s family have run the shoe shops, 4 Feet and Quarter, in the high street since the 1980s.
He said: “We will close when events take place.
If customers can’t come in, there is no point in being open. We have seen the events mean literally not one customer has come in.
“We have had four DJs perform in the past 10 days, in the same place. People stand around, they do not shop and they block customers visiting.
“They could put them outside chains so they are not directly damaging the independent businesses that have helped make Camden Town the place it is.”
He added: “The concept is a good idea. It should provide lots more space for people to wander down.”
Finn Brewster Doherty, who runs the Camden Open Air Gallery and is a member of the Camden High Street Traders Association, said two long-term traders – Hala Wala and Tower Shoes – had already quit due to the pedestrianisation.
In an email to the Town Hall, he spoke of traders’ “deepening concern regarding the governance, delivery, and community impact… of under-promoted, poorly attended events that caused significant disruption to trade.”
Several businesses recorded more than a 70 per cent drop in footfall and lost critical weekend revenue, said Mr Doherty.
“We want to be clear: we are not opposed to culture, creativity, or public realm enhancement.
“But these efforts must be rooted in fair process, mutual respect and strategic partnership – especially when the livelihoods are at stake.
“This is not a distant or hypothetical concern.
“These closures are a direct manifestation of the pressures now affecting independent businesses, pressures exacerbated by event-related disruption, loss of access, and a lack of meaningful partnership.”
He added: “Camden’s Cultural Strategy rightly states that supporting small businesses is central to Camden’s cultural future. And yet, the most recent additions – Box Park, Wendy’s, Popeyes, POP Mart, and Shake Shack – suggest a growing trend toward large corporate occupiers.”
Camden Town ward Labour councillor Richard Cotton said he would have preferred to see the southern end of Camden High Street, between Camden Town and Mornington Crescent tube stations, made a priority for traffic measures, adding: “I very much hope businesses and residents will be carefully listened to.”
A Camden Council spokesperson said: “At peak times there can be as many as 40,000 people on the High Street, creating significant overcrowding.
“Many people previously asked why the High Street was not already pedestrianised – now we are delivering on that call.
“We have so far held a small number of events in this newly pedestrianised space, which have been varied, vibrant and a lot of fun.
“These have seen an increase in visitors to the High Street and received positive feedback.
“We are three months into the 18-month trial and are still learning ways we can improve where possible to make sure that all aspects of these events work for local businesses, residents and visitors.
“The cultural programme is also informed by a dedicated working group which includes business representatives.
“We also communicate with businesses directly but want to do more to build relationships and work with businesses to address their concerns and make the best of this exciting opportunity for Camden High Street.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.camdennewjournal.co.uk ’
