An empty shop in Parkway – formerly Caffe Nero

THE Town Hall is planning a summer festival as a key part of its Covid strategy with the hope it will kickstart the recovery from the pandemic.

Full details of what is expected to be a series of events are yet to be revealed, but arts organisations will be invited to work in parks and public spaces, as well as housing estates, in what the council hopes will be a feelgood leap out of lockdown.

And the “Camden Together” project will look at the rash of empty shops that are now popping up on the high streets and negotiate with landlords as to whether they can be used on a temporary basis.

The suggestion has been made many times in Camden Town but schemes have struggled to get off the ground. Several prime retail sites already lie empty in Camden Town.

Regeneration chief Labour councillor Danny Beales said: “Our priority is to support the recovery and revitalisation of our high streets. They are vital parts of our communities – providing jobs and opportunities – and a defining part of our borough’s identity.”

He added: “We are investing over £380,000 as part our high streets and arts and culture programmes over the next few months.”

Cllr Beales said that there would be a “high street prospectus” drawn up to see what people wanted from their local shopping parades.

He added:  “We will also shortly be launching the Camden Together fund to support freelancers, young creatives, community groups and arts organisations to support activities and events that bring people back to our high streets and active our parks and estates over the summer.

“Arts, culture and community are what make Camden, and we look forward to working with all Camden creatives over the coming months.”

Camden High Street is starting to look sad

By Suggs, guest editor

I WALK up Camden High Street and sometimes it can be a sad affair. You notice when things have gone.

I do a lot of travelling and you see the homogenisation across the UK – every shop is a chain or franchise, or lying empty and you worry that it is happening to Camden – a place where people can be whoever they want to be.

There has to be a way of striking a balance, even if it means looking at how we change planning laws. In Paris, when a butcher closes, only another butcher can re-open there. I know a lot of money comes in via tourists and you have to earn money that way.

But you need to support local businesses too – without them. Do go out of your way to support your local businesses – and go to the pub. That’s a key piece of advice.

We have been through a few recessions and we are facing some tough times. If there is vacuum created by a recession, we have to work out how best it can be filled by somebody.

It might mean helping give young people a break – letting spaces out cheaply to start-ups, creating rehearsal rooms, studios, that type of thing. If you own a property and it is empty, think about what can be done with it. It is an opportunity.