How the new wheel will look

THE owners of Camden Market have insisted plans for an observation wheel at the Lock and a new events space is a way of protecting it for future generations.

And to opponents who say the famous canalside area is already too busy without the proposed attractions, LabTech say traders and the high street need more custom to survive.

The New Journal reported last month how artist David Gentleman was among a large number of objectors to the 40-foot observation wheel. He had warned that it would ruin the historic look of the Lock and bring in an untenable number of fresh visitors.

But LabTech say they have to find a way to bring in more visitors – just to bring the level up to the pre-pandemic footfall. While it is estimated 30 million people make their way to Camden Town each year, the market operators say takings need to rise by around 30 per cent to guarantee a healthy future.

Commercial director Maggie Milosavljevic added: “When people speak of an increase in visitors, they do not consider the new Buck Street market, Hawley Wharf or the High Street. Coming out of the pandemic, we are dealing with four markets, not two.”

She added: “Many people perceive there is larger footfall, but speak to any trader and you get a completely different story. We have to keep bringing people in with additional attractions to keep our independent businesses thriving.

“This will bring in a  mixture of customers who are more interested in art, culture and history. We want people who are not only coming to buy a T-shirt.”

Over the past two years a Tomb Raider live experience centre has opened in the Stables Market, as has an immersive theatre show based on Peaky Blinders – both a departure from what traditionally is on offer on the famous market cobbles. Nearby, the Babylon Park underground fairground has also “brought in different customers”, according to the operators.

LabTech are seeking to rally support for their overall scheme to convert a storage area into an exhibition space, open up for the first time the historic Dead Dogs’ basin quayside beneath the Interchange building, and build the observation wheel. The London Eye-style attraction would be in place for five years, in the West Yard. LabTech say objections are based on misunder­standings and urged people to read their planning application.

Ms Milosavljevic said: “Camden is always about change. We are always looking for the next thing.”

LabTech have received more than 150 letters of support and are offering 1,000 free school tickets a year for the wheel. They plans new links with the Central St Martin’s arts university in King’s Cross to bring students in to design the spaces and use the vaults for exhibitions. The company said claims the wheel would damage the historic fabric of the area ignore its track record.

Ms Milosavljevic added: “Since we bought the markets, we have spent millions on historic building restorations. We have not, and would not, damage any historic buildings.”

Hundreds of objections to the wheel have been received by council planners and nearby Cavendish Primary School in Inverness Street is among the latest to raise concern.

Sharon Chen Cooper, bursar and clerk to the governors, said in a message to the Town Hall on the school’s behalf: “There is the potential for severe overcrowding of the narrow pavements. Since many of our children walk to and from school with their parents, there is the potential for jostling and accidents. “The streets of Camden, or more accurately the pavements, do not have the capacity to contain safely even more visitors than at present.”

She added that the school was also concerned about a possible rise in anti-social behaviour, warning that drug dealing was already taking place in Camden Town.

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