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Camden News - by TOM FOOT and SHIBA BABAMIRI
Published: 23 December 2008

‘Sea mine’ decorations

Camden: the Town Christmas forgot

Traders hit out at council, warning that lack of festive lights is damaging their business

IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas... except in Camden Town, where the Christmas lights that once lined the Lock have been dumped.
The lack of sparkle on the High Street is in stark contrast to areas like Hampstead, Highgate, and Kentish Town, which have been lit up each night with a sea of coloured lights.
But the area’s main business group said festive lights weren’t worth bothering with this year, with Camden Town Unlimited (CTU) insisting money could be better spent elsewhere.
And the Town Hall’s excuse for not investing in a bit more tinsel? The lamp-posts that they use every year might not be strong enough to hold decorations.
A spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately this year the council was not able to put the usual Christmas lights on lampposts in Camden Town. This was because the lampposts had not been tested to check they could take the extra load.”
It’s all left traders in Camden Town feeling a little blue this Yuletide season. They have had to make do with a solitary Christmas Tree near Mornington Crescent station and spiky “winter” decorations which have been compared to naval “sea mines” and were designed by art students for use throughout the colder months, not just at Christmas.
Farid Rahimi, manager of ShopRite Fashion in Camden High Street, said: “Christmas decorations really do affect us. If Camden is dark and boring during Christmas people will not come and buy their presents here.”
Parzi Dundar, a T-shirt seller in Buck Street Market, added: “People in Camden are not in the festive mood this year – some decoration could help.”
In previous Christmases, the council has been criticised for not being imaginative enough in their treatment in Camden Town.
Coat seller Ali Kandemir said: “Nothing is being done to improve Camden High Street. People are still spending money but not in Camden.
“Although tourists are still visiting Camden, we don’t see any locals any more. They are going somewhere with more decorations.”
But Simon Pitkeathley, chief executive of CTU – representing traders and businesses in Camden – said Christmas lights were not worth the money.
He said: “We’ve had lots of talks about Christmas lights and we decided it would be better to spend our money on more permanent things, like street-scape improvements. To be honest it would be nice to see more help from the council. Last year, I had a quote from the council that a Christmas Tree would cost £3,500.”
He added: “We are not worried about Camden Town as a retail destination. It is London’s second biggest tourist attraction. Go out there – it is thriving.”

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