Cleaning up the Stables Market in Camden

There's currently a petition running on the Downing St website calling for the Prime Minister to cancel the "plan to replace Camden's unique market area with a shopping centre". Just so we’re all clear - this is nothing to do with Camden Lock market which is flourishing and sparkling and looking good. Nor is it anything to do with Inverness Street where the newly redone market is also looking good.

This is about the Stables Market, which is a later offshoot of Camden Lock Market, and is somewhat scruffy and a bit threatening. It was high time for a clean up. There will be lots of independent stalls it will NOT be a Brent Cross/Bluewater whatever.

The original plans for this were agreed under the previous Labour administration. The new Planning Committee took another look at them at the end of last year and, I think, dramatically improved them.

Camden Town Unlimited, which is the local business group, is in favour. They have elaborate plans for the local streetscape and "urban realm" to turn Camden Town into a much more user friendly and pleasant environment for EVERYBODY - residents, local businesses, tourists alike. Tree/wider pavements etc. Furthermore the new design will open up lots of the arches which cannot currently be viewed and make the whole of the stables more attractive for small businesses.

So I really don’t think this is anything to worry about.