The empty glass building on Camden High Street by the lock will soon be filled, to mixed reactions from the locals. The news that the up-market, chain clothing store All Saints will soon be occupying the space left vacant by Fopp has worried nearby shop owners that Camden will soon be pushing out independent companies — a fear supported by the H&M Divison that opened recently and the American Apparel planned for further down the road.
In fairness to All Saints, the London-based company boasts a flagship store on Commercial Street where it is the only chain store (and though not exactly comparing like for like, Fopp was a chain itself). The space had originally been purchased by Somerfield — who had planned to turn it into a massive off license, thus providing a solution to the shortage of cheap booze in Camden — but the plans were scrapped in May.
Image courtesy of Unkle Paulie via the Londonist Flickrpool.
