Newly proposed ferris wheel at Camden Lock

• I CANNOT help but believe that the Hampstead Village Business Improvement District have scored an own goal by choosing not to continue with another term of the BID, (Business levy scheme faces calls to pay back leftover funds after being wound up, June 10).

It’s no surprise that in the short-term the majority of local businesses are struggling to recover from the global pandemic. To pay an additional levy clearly seems not appropriate at the moment.

It can also be seen as cruel and insensitive to ask business owners to contribute a levy to our Camden Town Business Improvement District when times have been so desperately hard.

I understand how people look back at days of old and think they will manage without BID. It’s easy to romanticise the way our neighbourhood used to be. We had quieter streets and quaint little shops and market stalls that made this town so very unique.

However there were an awful lot of grubby, poorly cared for, and shabby areas that I can only picture these days as terribly grey and a touch risky to venture into.

Slowly but surely these parts have been brought into life. They are no longer less safe to venture around.

Some examples are areas of Camden Lock, the Regent’s Canal and Buck Street market. Now, instead, they’re enticing people in to investigate and maybe discover a niche restaurant or shopping experience.

I’m convinced that the BID levy is a small expense for a much larger return to the community and to our businesses. It’s a proven investment that shouldn’t be missed.

For years, behind the scenes, the BID team has worked vigorously to bring a dream of a green space in the sky above our streets into realisation.

The Camden Highline is coming closer to fruition. It will join neighbourhoods together and bring our community closer.

Camden Town BID have helped turn the unimaginable into reality. Disused railway land shall become a green space for residents, employees, and tourists to enjoy.

The Camden Highline will become a tourist attraction in its own right. One day soon it will open and we shall wonder who put this idea together, who made it happen. Who helped make this dream a reality?

The dozens of meetings with railway chiefs, planners and stakeholders could not have commenced if the Camden Town BID team hadn’t been here to facilitate this vision.

Camden Town BID, listened to the dream of a parkland in the sky and they’re making it happen, the gift of a promenade where we can all stroll for a mile or so away from the hustle and bustle of traffic and everyday life on the streets below.

Camden Town Unlimited operate the Camden Town BID. I’ve watched the team assist young people with their ambitions and help them develop businesses.

The challenges of policing are helped enormously and there’s even a “Clean and Green” team to make our town a more pleasing place to live in, work in, or to visit.

With my hand upon my heart I can’t suggest that Camden was better off without BID. Far from it… They face up to the difficult issues and do their best to manage them in a positive way.

The Camden Town BID will help businesses thrive once again. I believe the investment of the BID levy is a small price to pay for a very large return to the wider community.

They want our tills to be ringing and they recognise our voices and campaign that businesses are part of the greater community also. Hampstead Village BID have looked a gift horse in the mouth.

I genuinely believe we are graced to have Simon Pitkeathley (CEO) and his team at Camden Town Unlimited at our disposal.

This team love and care about Camden Town and they help promote ideas that often make this neighbourhood a better place, whether it’s supporting the Music Walk of Fame or the newly proposed ferris wheel at Camden Lock.

Either way life would be a helter-skelter without the Camden Town BID.

HENRY CONLON
The Dublin Castle, NW1