You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘local business’ tag.
Cllr Matt Sanders at Talacre Gardens
Camden Council have proposed allowing a mobile refreshment stand in Talacre Gardens.
It’s pretty obvious that what’s driving the council is a need to find new sources of income – this is part of a deal that would see sites rented out across 12 of the borough’s parks and open spaces. However, if litter and noise could be kept under control, and if the outlet were discreet, I can see that some people might like to be able to buy teas, coffees and snacks on their way through the park.
We also need to consider the impact on existing local businesses – both Cafe du Coin and (more recently) The Fields Beneath have loyal local audiences and have worked hard to establish themselves in the community.
I’m interested to know what you think before I respond to the council’s consultation. Please do drop me an email or, alternatively, you can complete the public consultation directly, here.
Residents and businesses in Chalk Farm and Steele’s Village are calling on the Mayor of London to extend the Cycle Hire Scheme further North.At the moment, cyclists using the popular scheme can only get as far as Castlehaven Road in Camden Town. While Chalk Farm Station and Haverstock Hill would be popular extensions, the Mayor insists (somewhat bizarrely) that the local “topography” is not suitable for cycling. In other words: it’s too hilly.
South West London will be seeing more and more hire stations over the next few years, but the next time the Mayor has said he will even consider more sites in Camden is 2016. This means that Chalk Farm residents miss out on the opportunity to cycle all the way home and local businesses don’t get the benefit of being on the cycle network.
I raised this issue at the last Full Council meeting, and asked Camden to help residents prepare sites and lobby the Mayor.
You can watch the debate here, and if you want to write to the Mayor to support the campaign you can do so here.
Artists like Amy Winehouse could be honoured on Camden’s Music Walk of Fame
Camden Town is known for it’s buzzing music scene and a new street installation, based on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, is set to bring our unique heritage to life.
The project, led by the innovative business group Camden Town Unlimited, could see up to 25 artists honoured by a series of stones set into the pavement along Chalk Farm Road.
While lots of people will love seeing Camden’s cultural contribution recognised in this way, there’s no doubt some residents will shudder at yet another ploy to drag more tourists to Camden Town. Camden Market is already one of the most visited attractions in London – and while that’s great for the local economy and thriving local businesses, there’s no doubt the heavy flow of people can take its toll.
Personally, I think this installation could help. By focussing attention on the main streets, we should hold visitor’s attention and discourage them from heading off into the smaller residential roads where people live.
There will be a drop-in event for local residents and businesses to hear more information and express their own views on Saturday 17th November, from 10am until 2pm, at Castlehaven Community Centre. I first wrote about this idea almost a year ago, so it’s great the project is now at a stage where the community can have their say.
Local councillors and residents campaigned for a new Hawley Wharf scheme – which design watchdog Cabe has described as a “marked improvement”.
Redrawn plans for Hawley Wharf in Camden Town have been backed by design watchdog Cabe.
Developers were sent back to the drawing board earlier this year following a massive campaign led by local councillors and residents. After several months of close liaison with the Hawley Wharf Working Group (made up of interested local representatives), developers have come forward with a new, improved scheme which shows far more respect for it’s iconic setting in the heart of Camden Town and alongside the Regent’s Canal.
While the new scheme may not yet be 100% perfect, Cabe are definitely right to describe it as “a marked improvement“. It just goes to show that corporate developers and professional planners in the Town Hall should harness the energy and ideas of local residents more often.
Steele’s Village will once again be holding a competition to find Camden’s scariest pumpkin.
Steele’s Village will be getting spooky once again next week, with a halloween pumkin competition. Bring your entries to the Legal Cafe on Haverstock Hill before 5:30pm on Tuesday 30th October: there will be prizes for the best pumpkins!
There’s also Christmas festivities in the pipeline. If you’re local (or even not so local, but a fan of our fantastic High Street) be sure to put Thursday 6th December in your diary now for the Christmas lights switch on and carols.
Keep up to date with other happenings in the Village by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
Businesses in Steele’s Village have spruced up their hanging baskets with an Olympic torch theme.
The Olympic torch will begin the final day of its journey around the UK here in Haverstock ward.
The torch will set off from the Roundhouse on Chalk Farm Road at 6:45am on 26th July 2012, before making its way down the High Street, past Camden Market, through St. Pancras Gardens and Granary Square and ending it’s trip through Camden at St. Pancras International Station.
Local people will be able to see the torch along the route. Camden Lock Market will be opening early, from 6am, to serve breakfast, and there will be a performance outside the Roundhouse from 6:15am.
For more information, have a look at the Olympic Torch Relay page on Camden Council’s website, here.
Artists like Amy Winehouse could be honoured on Camden's Music Walk of Fame
Camden’s musical heritage could be celebrated by bringing a “Music Walk of Fame” to our streets.
The walk of fame is being proposed by a group of local entrepeneurs, working closely with Camden Town Unlimited, and would initially honour 25 artists with stones set into the pavement along Camden High Street and Chalk Farm Road.
Camden has hosted a pretty stellar line up of famous musicians over the years and has featured in a long list of hit songs – from Madness back in the ’80s to (Haverstock School graduate) Dappy today.
The installation could give local residents a real sense of pride in the exciting, dynamic and creative part of London that we live in – while helping local businesses by bringing fans to the area for the first time. And, by following the route along the main road, visitors would be encouraged not to wander off into residential side streets.
What do you think of this idea? Do you support it? How do you think the first stars should be chosen? How can local residents get involved? I’d love to hear your views so do drop me a line.
Castlehaven Community Centre are introducing a new weekend nursery to help local parents
Castlehaven Community Centre are introducing a weekend nursery – thought to be one of the first of its kind.
The innovative scheme is designed to help out parents who have to work on a Saturday or Sunday – such as those manning stalls at nearby Camden Market. In such difficult economic times, with huge pressures on funding, it is those charities who are constantly innovating and prepared to try out new ideas that will best whether the storm. It’s great to see Castlehaven doing just that.
The weekend nursery opens on 14th January, but there will be an open day on Saturday 10th December for those who would like to find out more.
If you would like to book a space, you can give Castlehaven a call on 0207 485 3386, or email them here. Full details, including directions to the community centre, can be found on the weekend nursery flyer (pdf document).
Haverstock's Lib Dem councillors are supporting local residents
The owners of Camden Lock Market have applied for a license that will allow the sale of alcohol from anywhere within the market. Their application also asks Camden Council to allow live music, cinema and theatre until late into the evening.
It’s some time since I’ve seen such strong local opposition against a single licensing application. A significant number of residents and our local police fear that creating a huge entertainment zone in the middle of this residential area would cause real problems.
Of course many people enjoy visiting the markets – which is great – and they support many thriving local businesses. However, that success shouldn’t and doesn’t have to come at the expense of local residents. We have therefore sent in objections to the Lock Market application, which you can read below.
Dear Sir or Madam,
RE: Camden Lock Market, application number APP\PREMISES-NEW01077-11
We would like to object, in the strongest possible terms and in common with many local residents and the police, to the above licensing application.
The application cannot possibly be considered to be in line with Camden Council’s policy objectives for this area. We are specifically concerned that, if approved, the application would be in breach of the licensing objectives to prevent public nuisance, and to prevent crime and disorder.
The application site lies within a designated Special Policy Area. This indicates the council’s recognition that there is already a severe impact – on local amenity and on levels of crime and disorder – from the concentration of so many venues. This new application, by it’s size and nature, will significantly add to the cumulative impact. It quite obviously can in no way be considered a small venue or coffee shop – the only exceptions from the presumption to refuse all new applications within the Special Policy Area.
A market is a place to buy and sell goods. The application, however, would transform Camden Lock Market into an open air entertainment, festival and club venue, in the middle of a residential area. It is not acceptable to have live, amplified music played outdoors in such close proximity to people’s homes.
It is currently possible to buy alcohol within the application site, from one of several bars in operation, and it is reasonable that adults should be allowed to sit down and have a quiet drink when they visit the market. It is not reasonable, however to introduce outlets where alcohol can be bought and consumed on the go. Street drinking will massively alter the character of the area, and makes the consumption of alcohol a more fundamental part of the market offer. The huge crowds that visit the market, and the myriad of entrances and exits, will make it almost impossible to contain drinking within the boundary of the application site and away from the canal towpath and Chalk Farm Road.
If Northside Developments are granted permission, the impact on local residents will be severe and significant. We therefore urge the committee to refuse the application, and would welcome the opportunity to make these arguments in person at the hearing.
Yours faithfully,
Cllr Matt Sanders, Cllr Rahel Bokth, Cllr Jill Fraser
Liberal Democrat Councillors for Haverstock ward
The new license would cover the whole of the Lock Market site
A developer is attempting to demolish the old Snooker Hall in Camden Town, in breach of planning rules.
This is a travesty and real shock. I sat on the planning committee that refused development on the site, which includes the much loved Crown and Goose pub – and I still think it was one of the best decisions we have made. The quality of the proposed replacement building was astonishingly poor.
Residents first raised the alarm when scaffolding was erected at the snooker hall last Friday. In response, the council visited the site and spoke to the site manager, who confirmed that they were commencing work. The council then issued verbal and written cautions, pointing out that the demolition of a building in a conservation area without consent is a criminal offence. We know that the developer has received these warnings, but intends to continue anyway.
The next step is to serve an enforcement notice on the developer alleging unauthorised demolition. This notice will require the developer to re-construct the parts of the snooker hall that have been demolished.
Camden’s officers and councillors from across the political divide have been doing all we can to stop this unauthorised demolition. It is appalling that the developer has so little respect for due process and we will continue to push Camden to take the strongest action possible to bring him into line with the law.
