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Antique traders, from left, Esme Johnston, Christina Tattun, Deidre Beresford, Mark Gorrimore and Count Alexander |
Count backs calls to save precious antiques market
Costume jeweller says borough should follow Parisian example
ONE of Islington’s best-known characters, the flamboyant costume jeweller Count Alexander von Beregshasy, warned this week that the borough’s world-famous antiques market is under threat from developers.
The Austro-Hungarian count, as popular for his eccentric 19th-century dress as for his replica Royal crown jewels, said he believes the future of Camden Passage as an antique market is extremely bleak.
As he spoke out, London and Associated Properties were advertising The Mall – where he has a shop – on the internet to potential new owners.
Traders fear that The Mall, a grade 11-listed former tram shed, will go the way of the former Georgian Village, at the other end of the Passage.
In that case, more than 100 antique traders were evicted from the village and it went on to become a large clothing retailer.
Count Alexander, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of business next year, said that the antique trade was dwindling in London.
He said: “We have already lost Bermondsey and now Camden Passage and Portobello Road are starting to go downhill.”
He claims customers – including Royals – visit his shop from all over the world, including Saudi Arabia. Prior to coming to Islington he traded at Harrods.
The Count contrasted the situation here with Paris.
He added: “Paris has got a fantastic antiques market in the centre of the city. It is protected by the government.
“The Parisians don’t destroy something that is popular just because they want to develop the real estate of the land.
“But in Islington, with more shops closing in the Passage, people are saying: ‘Why bother coming here anymore?’” |
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