Fire funds to help Camden traders

Ninety market stalls were damaged in the blaze, 35 extensively.

Traders affected by the Camden Market fire in February are set to receive £750,000 of financial help.

The London Development Agency (LDA) has set up a £250,000 recovery fund for traders hit by the north London blaze, which damaged 90 market stalls.

Traders from the Canal Street market will also benefit from an additional £500,000 fund set up by markets owner Camden Market Holdings (CMH).

Six shops and the Hawley Arms pub also suffered severe damage in the fire.

'Far-reaching benefit'

The LDA's recovery fund will provide business grants and fund a publicity campaign to encourage people to return to the four markets which remain open for business.

Camden council leader Keith Moffitt said: "This is great news for the traders affected and Camden Town as a whole.

"We have been working closely with all the agencies involved to make sure the kind of support we offer has a lasting and far-reaching benefit."

CMH's separate fund will help Canal Street traders re-establish their businesses.

It was set up after the market owner pledged to give £2 for every £1 granted by the LDA.

The 9 February blaze was centred around Camden Canal Market, where a number of market stalls caught alight. A total of 35 stalls were badly damaged.

Several residents had to be evacuated from houses and flats to a rest centre at a nearby sports centre, but no injuries were reported.