Buck Street Market

BUCK Street market’s redevelopment plans have been given the green light amid claims that the proposals mark the creeping gentrification of Camden Town.

The project, led by market owner Lab Tech, will see the current swathe of makeshift stalls replaced by a three- storey shipping container development for the next five years.

The project is designed to be temporary as Transport for London plans a major redevelopment of Camden Town tube station which includes creating a new entrance by the now-closed Hawley Primary School, opposite the market.

Many traders have expressed fears that the changes will mean a move upmarket, with increased rents, and that they will not be offered the chance to return. Councillors approved the scheme on Thursday night, after considering plans that show the market, using recycled shipping containers, will have more than double the existing floor space – but will not increase the number of traders.

Lab Tech development manager architect Will Rimmel told the meeting the new market would be similar to the revamped Stables. He explained that Lab Tech hoped to replace around 80 stalls with businesses that would attract more custom from people living in Camden Town.

“We have looked at the existing offer and there is a lot of duplication,” he said. “Things are mass-bought and then re-sold. What we would like to attract is something similar to the historic Stables market – a makers element.”

He added that current stallholders had been in discussions with the owners. We have spoken to existing traders but it can’t progress until we get through this evening,” he said. “It is a process that will be very transparent.”

The New Journal has learned that 14 existing traders have been told they will be “appropriate” for the new market. Each tenant was given the chance to apply. They were given advice as to what Lab Tech were looking for, with a focus on craftsmanship and original goods. Others who have been unsuccessful are set to be offered pitches across Lab Tech’s Camden market empire.

But King’s Cross ward Labour councillor Georgie Robertson, who criticised the scheme, said the future for businesses currently on-site was not clear enough. The project could dilute the area’s reputation for uniqueness, she said, pointing out that other markets in London had used containers for shops.

How Buck Street will look as a new complex of sea containers

“I wonder if there is a risk of adopting a style in Camden that changes the character and charm, and losing what is unique about the market,” she added. “The design strikes me as somewhat corporate and generic. It is a significant change in style and what makes it unique, the higgledy-piggledy charm we have at the moment. I worry people might be priced out in the long run as it moves to a more corporate style.”

Georgie Robertson

To stop large firms moving in, the planning application has a condition which says no trader could have more than five other outlets in Camden, said Mr Rimmel.

Anti-social behaviour and crimes such as pickpocketing could be dealt with by the re-design, he added. As part of the planning deal, two stalls will be given rent-free to community groups.

A spokes­person for Camden Market said: “We want to re-energise Buck Street Market and restore the ‘makers’ element in terms of original produce, handmade craft and traders with unique products which embrace Camden’s creativity.”