Camden Market Fire Site To Reopen

M@
By M@ Last edited 181 months ago
Camden Market Fire Site To Reopen

HawleyArms2.jpg
The Hawley Arms, seconds before evacuation. Image by M@.

It's one year since a fire devastated Canal Market in Camden. Now, parts of the site are set to reopen with over 150 traders moving back in.

Redevelopment has been hampered by over-running repairs to the railway arches by Network Rail. Those works finished four weeks ago, finally allowing demolition of dangerous structures on Chalk Farm Road and clearance of the market space behind. That's quite an achievement, considering the amount of debris evident in this video from a passing train one month ago. Traders affected by the fire shared a £750,000 pot of compensation, and will get first dibs on the reopened market space.

Meanwhile, Camden Council have approved a planning framework for the long-term development of the Hawley Wharf site. Its mixed-use future includes greater public access, wider pavements for pedestrians and provision of cycle stands. Sounds vague? That's because the 60-page document is intended as a guide for any prospective developer of the site rather than constituting a detailed development proposal. There's still a long way to go before we know exactly what's in store for this woebegotten part of Camden Town.

Last Updated 13 February 2009