Sir Antony Gormley blasts Coal Drops Yard plans
Sculptor criticises plan to bring in chain stores
Friday, 30th August 2024 — By Dan Carrier
An end to ‘thoughtfully chosen independents’ in King’s Cross
THE billion-pound King’s Cross redevelopment will be left “sad and broken” if the Town Hall gives the green light to a new shopping pavilion aimed at chain stores, according to world-renowned artist Sir Antony Gormley.
The sculptor – known for such landmarks as the Angel of the North in Gateshead and Another Place in Merseyside – fired off a strongly worded broadside over a “lazy solution” to a footfall collapse at the former Railway Lands neighbourhood now known as Coal Drops Yard.
Sir Antony, who lives in the former gas holders overlooking the Regent’s Canal, said: “They are intending to bring in a lot of mass brands, fine and useful in their place, but why replicate here what you have in every high street?
“This seems to be a complete turnaround on the part of [developers] Argent and represents a lack of imagination, a lazy solution in a place that deserves more.
“We will be left with something that feels sad and broken.”
The artist added that the original idea for the shopping precinct – overseen by designer Thomas Heatherwick and completed in 2018 – was to bring in unique, independent businesses.
But instead, due to poor footfall, he claims they have now “decided to go for an all-out change of style rather than carefully address the problems.
“[They are] going from thoughtfully chosen independents to much cheaper mass-market shops and ‘grab and go’ food outlets.
“It feels as if they are happy to dump everything done to make this a unique and special place in order to get maximum footfall and spend.”
Residents say restaurants tend to be busy but shops struggle, and Sir Antony’s views have been echoed in other objections lodged at the Town Hall.
The sculptor claimed that the sales push to find buyers for around 2,000 new homes in the development in recent years smacks of empty promises.
He added: “Now Argent have sold almost all the residential units they can forget about the promises made about what the area will feel like, and push ahead for maximum retail profit.
“A stunning historic architectural place has been sensitively restored and this should be respected.
“There are many ways in which retailers could be helped to be more successful with a light touch, without destroying the very beautiful yard.”
Using his artist’s eye, Sir Antony has offered suggestions, including dividing up empty units into smaller spaces with lower rents, better lighting and signs.
“He also called for market stalls to add vibrancy. He said: “Many of the premises are in virtual darkness, set back under solid walkways. Even moving some of the shopfronts forwards would help hugely.”
Sir Antony said that claims by Argent that the area was “underused” showed a lack of understanding.
He said: “It is a wonderful space for large-scale dancing, choral events, cycling events.
“They repeatedly say it is ‘unused’ – its purpose is that it is a space, the most precious thing in urban life. You take it away and then it’s gone forever.
“We object to the destruction of the beautiful, unusually shaped, historic space, which would be brought about by situating some- thing large, blocking and permanent in it.
“There seems to be a complete mis-match between the special architecture where we are very happy and proud to live – and the short-sighted commercial intentions of the Argent team.”
King’s Cross asset manager Anthea Harries told the New Journal that the new shops would widen the appeal of the Grade-II listed space and came from research that showed customers wanted a bigger range of stores.
She added: “Every year we welcome a broad range of people into Coal Drops Yard who each have different shopping and dining requirements, from residents, workers and students to those living in Camden and beyond.
“The pavilion is being brought forward following recent feedback from these customers who say they want to see more accessible brands, grab- and-go food options and an improved customer journey through Coal Drops Yard.
“The proposed pavilion responds to this feedback by increasing the number of units available to lease and helping shoppers navigate their way round the central yard area more easily.
“Over the last six years, Coal Drops Yard has become the best of the British high street and the best of the British side street.
“We know people love Coal Drops Yard in its current form and to remain relevant, we must continue to adapt and diversify the range of shops to serve an evolving community of residents, workers and visitors.”
