• FOLLOWING lack of action by Labour councillors in Gospel Oak and Haverstock wards, Green Party councillor for Highgate, Sian Berry, has been forced to ask the council directly if it has any plans to revive ailing Queen’s Crescent Market.

The misleading and complacent written answer she received last month from Cllr Nadia Shah, cabinet member for safer communities, showed exactly why the once thriving resource, which was attracting 40-50 stalls in 2015 under community management, now has less than 10 stalls on most market days.

Cllr Shah said Camden “supports Queen’s Crescent market and actively works with the market’s improvement group. The group comprises of local residents, businesses, traders, interest groups, councillors and council officers”.

She neglected to report that the last meeting of the Market Improvement Group (MIG) was on May 8 and attended by just five people, two of whom were council officers.

At that meeting, the group requested information on council resources available and a copy of the council’s objectives for the market, but have received no response.

Community representatives say councillors have rarely attended MIG meet­ings, which have attracted only one market trader and no local businesses.

A community-led group produced a draft business plan in December 2016. This was sent to councillors and the market team but, yet again, they received no response.

Cllr Berry is trying to get a more accurate, up-to-date picture. The council must do more to protect local resources for shopping, business, employment and services.

DEE SEARLE
Co-Chair, Camden Green Party