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Ballroom at the heart of battle for soul of the area
• IT'S shocking Camden Council has given the go ahead to a proposal to rip the heart out of Camden Town (Why it could be the last dance for our iconic Electric Ballroom, November 8).
I have visited the Electric Ballroom on many occasions over many years and seen some great gigs at one of the best medium-sized venues in London.
What makes Camden such a vibrant exciting place to be is its markets and music venues.
And yet it is these very things that are once again under threat of demolition for what will be, if the previous plans are anything to go by, a glass and steel office block/shopping mall entirely out of keeping with Camden Town’s character.
The council leadership should have stuck to the clear promises made at the last election. Election pledges to help save the venue were made and they should be honoured.
Residents should be demanding that this decision is reversed before it is too late.
We will only get one chance to fix Camden Town Tube – we can’t afford to let this current proposal proceed.
RUAIRI MCALEESE
Hawley Road, NW1
No clones
• I was really surprised and disappointed to see Kate Fuller’s column in your paper (Why this could be the last chance for our iconic Electric Ballroom, November 8).
Surprised because I thought that the campaign I supported two years ago was successful.
Disappointed because it seems that those who make the decisions haven’t listened, so we’ve got to start all over again.
If we lose the Electric Ballroom we lose a major music venue which has been so important to so many major bands on their way up.
If it’s allowed to be knocked down and replaced with another set of high street clone shops, why not go the whole hog and turn the Dublin Castle into a Burger King and Barfly into a big Borders bookshop?
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT
Hawley Road, NW1
Heritage
• IN letting the Electric Ballroom be bulldozed, the Tory-Lib Dem council don’t know good music or what’s good for Camden.
Even if it’s not their favourite night out, they should keep Camden’s heart beating to the tune of the likes of The Clash, U2, Paul McCartney and the next generation of quality artists to keep Camden a hub for music-lovers, in all their diversity.
We all want the centre of Camden Town improved so we can feel proud of Camden and safe in it again.
But to improve it the council should build upon its musical and cultural heritage – not demolish it.
SOPHIE MOULLIN
Malden Road, NW5
Fight for it
• I'D just like to say that The Electric Ballroom is a well known venue for the UK Music scene, and most of the bands to have played there have gone from playing in their bedrooms to touring worldwide and have become a huge success!
I believe other countries’ governments fight for these establishment to be kept open, to keep the cultural and musical respect, let alone to boost their tourist industry and keep their reputation.
I really do not understand why Camden Council won’t fight to protect such a prestigious venue.
After the let down over stables market traders (and how ugly is the stables market now), perhaps the council doesn’t care and isn’t a fan of music or the culture it brings.
Shouldn’t they be doing more to protect this country’s musical heritage rather than demolish it?
HAYLER LOADER
Prince of Wales Road, NW5
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