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Artist Ivan Mott and a graffiti piece he created at the Canal Market |
A lick of paint, and it’s a new look for the Canal Market!
Mixed reaction as market reopens following devastating fire that lit up London’s skyline
FIFTEEN months after it was destroyed by a fire so ferocious that it lit up London’s skyline, the canalside market at Camden Lock rose Phoenix-like from the ashes on Saturday.
To the sound of a brass band and a town crier, 200 new stalls opened with a triumphant fanfare.
The new-look market includes more walkway space, a lion emblem posted across the market, two lion statues and seating areas made from the back end of Vespa-style scooters.
Some said it was beautifully bonkers, capturing the famous market area’s essentially bohemian nature – others described it as “tacky” and missing the magic that drew the crowds in the 1970s.
Mark Alper, the project director for market owner Camden Market Holdings group, said 320,000 people visited the site over the weekend and described the opening as a success “beyond expectation”.
“We want to tell people to keep coming and support the traders – we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said.
Mr Alper said the market was rebuilt as quickly as possible, and that stalls were so popular they were taken within 10 hours.
He said the vision behind the new market was to “open up the space” and “brighten it up,” as well as increasing the entrances and exits. He said the lion icon being used to promote the market is a “patriotic statement,” which says “buy British”.
Traders have complained that new one-week contracts have left them feeling insecure. But Mr Alper said they were good for traders and the market. “They can give a week’s notice and they’re gone,” he said. There’s no long-term commitment.”
Mr Alper warned that the new structure was temporary and would make way for something permanent in the next year or two, although he would not be drawn on what shape the new development would take.
The revamp proved a big hit with Haverstock schoolgirls Tatum Donnelly and Jade Jinadu, both 14, who particularly liked Kimia’s jewellery stall.
Tatum said: “It’s unique and it’s better than the other one to look at and there’s more going on. I like the way it has been made and joined together.”
Camden High Street stallholder Mina Aminamaz, who has moved to a Canal Market stall, said the new look was “beautiful” and thought it was a “good place” to work.
Simon Pitkeathley, chief executive of business group Camden Town Unlimited, celebrated the “bonkers” lions and union jack flags.
“I love it,” he said. “It’s quintessentially Camden, it’s a bit bonkers.
“It doesn’t look a museum to me, it’s given over to commercial activity.
“I don’t think it’s a fair criticism. What the owners are doing is more of what they’ve done on the old stables – it’s an extension of their slightly unusual idea. The market has had to adapt from the 1970s. It has always changed and evolved.”
Journalist and TV presenter Mik Scarlet, who is a wheelchair user, said he immediately noticed the stalls are all roughly a foot off the ground, while the area’s only ramp to the canal had been turned into a set of stairs.
“I felt offended – it’s two fingers up to me, saying we don’t want your kind here,” added Mr Scarlet. Mr Alper said he would look into wheelchair access and a ramp is due to be re-installed next week.
Another visitor, university lecturer Andy Walker, said the market had lost its 1970s “magic”.
“It’s got no intrigue or style now, it’s just a chance for people to earn money,” he added.
One stallholder claimed the market has been losing trade
every year because the owners had changed it too much.
She added: “Everyone’s saying it looks like a beach house. A lot of people treat the market like a museum. They come to take pictures, try things on and have a laugh with their friends.
“They come to have a day out rather than shop, and [the owners] are making it worse by introducing all these stupid lions and stuff.” |
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