Floors of the old Town Hall could be converted into co-working space 

FROM the hum of council offices to a swanky, high-end working space with bars and restaurants – the future of the former Town Hall in Bid- borough Street, King’s Cross is at the centre of a row between civic groups and an international party-organising firm.

Earlier this year, Eventhia – part of a company called Il Bottaccio that organised parties for Prince William, the US President, Formula One and Chelsea Football Club, among others – won a battle to run high-end events at the former Cam- den Centre, an annexe of the Town Hall building, until 4am for 1,600 people.

Now the firm is targeting three floors of the Town Hall and say they want to create a “co-working space with ancillary hospitality facilities”, according to an application.

But the Bloomsbury Residents Action Group says this will turn the former Town Hall offices into a late-night venue – and the licence bid should be thrown out.

In a leaflet dropped in surrounding streets, BRAG said: “Eventhia claim Bidborough Works will be a co-working club.

“However they are apply- ing for a Premises Licence, which will allow them to hold public events with live entertainment – films, live and recorded music – morphing into a party zone with two restaurants, bars, alcohol served until midnight on some nights and open to 1.30am on others.”

Residents in Queen Anne Mansions have fought against the scheme as have a host of civic groups.

Tom Wakeford, of the King’s Cross Safer Neighbourhood Alliance, told the New Journal that the Camden Centre and Town Hall applications combined could effectively create a massive late- night party venue.

He said: “They want to be able to stay open until 4am on some nights, with as many as 743 people in the building up to 12.30 am at any one time.

“This doesn’t look like co-working – it looks like a major entertainment venue in a historic building valued by everyone in Camden.”

In the plans, Eventhia have vowed that there will be no more than 150 people onsite after 12.30am and it will be strictly for members and guests.

“They also say they will install a direct-dial telephone number for residents that will be manned while the venue is open.

Director Emilie Edberg previously told the New Journal: “We understand and appreciate the concerns voiced by the community.

Whilst offering 24-hour access is a common feature designed to facilitate global work across different time zones, it’s important to clarify that licensable activities will be strictly confined to framework hours and reserved exclusively for co-working members and private bookings.”

An Eventhia spokeswoman said: “As experienced operators, with robust management plans to ensure compliance across all aspects of the venue are implemented at the highest possible standards and in line with Camden’s licensing objectives, we are ensuring that all concerns from interested bodies are met with due diligence.

“This state-of-the-art co-working space which aligns with Camden’s STEAM programme, will create over 200 high-paying jobs, offer 100 free memberships to local entrepreneurs, and generate more than £100million in direct revenue for Camden Council.”