Camden Market faces new threat

Stallholders fear the plans could mean shut down the market

Camden Market stallholders face a fresh threat to their future after plans for a redevelopment were put forward.

Camden Council is drawing up new plans for the refurbishment of Camden's Tube station, and stallholders worry they could threaten their livelihood.

London Underground (LU) wanted to knock down the Electric Ballroom, Camden Market and the United Reformed Church under a scheme mothballed in June.

Opponents say it would destroy one of the area's main attractions.

'Bad idea'

Henry Lennard of Camden Lock Ltd, which runs the market, told BBC London: "The fact of destroying one of the central reasons people come here in the first place to our mind is not exactly the most sensible way of going about it."

Stallholder Philomena Card, who has worked at the market for the last 12 years, said she could not believe the council could not protect the market.

"We thought in June that was that. It went to public inquiry, it was said it wasn't a good idea to have the market taken away for a Tube station and now we're back on the case again in the New Year."

Opponents say the station is only so busy because of the market.

But the council says it is too early to talk about knocking down buildings.

"London Underground will have to listen to what local people want," said Camden Council deputy leader Theo Blackmore.

LU said it would only develop the area with the help of locals.