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Camden New Journal - By DAN CARRIER
Published: 3 May 2007

Victory for shoppers’ power

CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed news that an empty shop in Highgate is to re-open as a hardware store.
The Earl of Listowel, owner of the Swain’s Lane premises, ignored better offers for the former Cavours hardware shop, in response to pressure from shoppers.
Campaigners had pressed for another hardware store to replace the popular shop, which had been on the corner site for 44 years before its closure in February.
The new shop, which could open as early as the end of this month, will be run by Jed Beardmore, who manages Goodwoods, the family ironmongers and wood yard in nearby Junction Road.
He was approached by a group of influential traders and residents campaigning to safeguard the diversity of the Swain’s Lane shopping parade. They feared the premises would be taken over by an estate agent or café.
Mr Beardmore, who was a pupil at nearby William Ellis School, now plans to consult shoppers about how the new store should be stocked.
He revealed that estate agents Humberts had received more lucrative offers than his, but the owner had bowed to public pressure.
Mr Beardmore said: “I am going to ask people what sort of things they want to see on the shelves. I can get started quite quickly. I have stock I can move over from my other store.”
There had been fears he would be offered a lease with a clause allowing him to be thrown out if plans to redevelop the parade were revived.
Three planning applications for the parade have been drawn up in recent years – two were turned down, while a third was withdrawn.
Mr Beardmore added that the lease suited him. He said: “The plan is to have a five-year lease, and that is far enough into the future to make it a success.
“The owners said they had a lot of interest but feel I have a good chance to make it a success and that they have listened to what people in the street want.”
Surveyor Charles Osbourne, working for the Earl of Listowel, said: “We think Goodwoods is a suitable replacement for Cavours. He is taking out a lease until 2011 with no break clauses.”
Swain’s Lane Neighbourhood Association chairman Michael Zagor, who tipped Goodwoods off about the empty shop, said: “This is a big victory. We are delighted and will do all we can to help make this venture a success.”

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