Camden to get post-fire makeover

Camden High Street before and after a planned revamp

A plan to revitalise London's Camden Market a year after fire ripped through it has received local council backing.

The Camden Town project has already set out plans to widen the pedestrian area of the High Street and slow traffic.

A new brief approved by councillors on Thursday evening extends the revamp to Harley Wharf, part of which was badly damaged in the February 2008 blaze.

The aim is to restore its "unique character" after the fire, thought to have caused damage put at £30m.

Simon Pitkeathley, chief executive Camden Town Unlimited, which represents merchants in the area, said their long history of successfully together for the good of Camden "really stepped up after last year's fire".

'Continued vitality'

The fire, started by a gas heater left on in one of the stalls, damaged 90 market stalls, six shops and the popular Hawley Arms pub.

The markets area is a major tourist attraction, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors each weekend to its six open-air and indoor markets and vibrant mix of bars, clubs, shops and restaurants.

The push by local officials and businesses to reopen both the shops and the roads within days of the blaze is credited with keeping long-term financial damage to a minimum.

The view a year ago was grim after fire broke out in the historic market

Traders affected by the fire, which broke out early on 10 February last year, received a combined total of £750,000 in financial help.

The London Development Agency (LDA) set up a £250,000 recovery fund and a £500,000 fund was created by market owner Camden Market Holdings (CMH).

Camden Council leader Keith Moffitt said the aim was to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and accessible, especially during busy weekends while supporting "the continued vitality and character of the area."

"Now more than ever we want to see as many people as possible showing their continued support by getting down to Camden Town and all our borough's town centres," he added.