• FURTHER to your report (Rent charge by Town Hall leaves arts charity homeless, September 27), I would like to explain in more detail about our pop-up initiative and work with the Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation.

Located in Gospel Oak, this small-scale initiative helps house temporary projects rent-free, for up to three months in vacant council-owned premises, which would otherwise be left empty while commercial tenants are sought.

There are many fantastic organisations looking for temporary space in Camden and we want to support as many ideas as possible through this project. Since 2013 the initiative has provided free space for 45 pop-up uses.

Project participants are advised in advance that the space will be provided on a temporary basis. This is also noted in the guidance, and is discussed prior to the project commencing with all participants signing a tenancy agreement that clearly states the start and end dates.

While we have an obligation to ensure that our commercial properties are well managed and that rental income supports the delivery of the council’s obligations and ambitions, this initiative allows businesses, charities and individuals a chance to trial their ideas while also avoiding leaving these premises unused and empty.

We were delighted to support the foundation through the programme, during which they benefited from rent-free accommodation in Ashdown Crescent, as well as providing advice and guidance around community engagement, funding, securing premises and the support available within the borough.

We have provided free storage to the foundation and continue to support them to find a permanent base from which to deliver their programme. In the meantime we have linked them up with other local organisations with available space from which they can continue to provide workshops.

CLLR RICHARD OLSZEWSKI
Cabinet Member for Finance & Transformation