S
o that bit of Camden Market that literally feels like it hasn’t changed forever – you know, on the right as you exit the tube and head north towards the lock – is finally getting a needed spruce-up. It’s always been the most cramped, least attractive part, after all.
The plan? To ape the success of SW9’s thriving shipping containerville Pop Brixton – while keeping Camden’s indomitable character. So you can expect tons of independent retailers, streetfood outlets, yoga/leisure studios and social enterprises, all ensconced in shiny recycled sea containers.
The proposals are the work of Urban Space Management, whose head honcho Eric Reynolds – fact fans – was one of the original pioneers of Camden Market in the 1970s. So we would hope that he knows his shizzle. Urban Space, incidentally, have also played an important role in the development of other markets across the capital.
With that in mind the recycled temporary container market – which requires minimal structural foundations – will be built to last for around five years, until London Underground’s proposals have been realised to ease overcrowding at Camden tube station (which involves lots of digging around beneath Buck Street).
For those worried about the existing traders, those “who sell authentic goods” will be able to stay on site or will be offered pitches in Camden Lock or Stables Markets. Sounds fair enough.
And apparently, once Camden Council give all this the nod of approval, the site can be built quickly within just over a month – so the plan is to have Buck Street up and running in time for Christmas this year.
So Camden Container Park: what do you think?