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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 21 December 2007

Yvette Pathare

Passage traders fear they are landlord’s next eviction target

Calls for more protection as owners of the Mall evict dealers in west London

THERE were new fears among traders at the flagship Mall in Camden Passage this week after the building’s owners announced plans to evict dealers from their other antique arcade in west London.
As many as 50 traders are being forced to quit the Antiquarius arcade in Kings Road, Chelsea, by the end of the month as landlords London & Associated Properties (LAP) plan to turn part of the centre into a retail store.
The move refutes claims made by Islington antique traders that Kensington and Chelsea has powers to halt the demise of small shops and “inappropriate” developments in their borough.
At the Mall, trader, Mark Gorringe said that the evictions so close to Christmas had made everyone very anxious.
“We all feel very insecure at the moment. If our building closes there is nowhere to go.
“We have all got a six-month contract. But don’t get the impression that LAP are terribly interested in antique dealers. I hope we are still here next year. “
Yvette Pathare, from Pierepoint Row, who last week helped launched a petition with 600 signatures at the Town Hall, calling on Islington council to protect the market, was also concerned about events.
She added: “Now is the time for Islington to introduce positive protection policies to stop inappropriate development in the Mall and elsewhere in Camden Passage.”
But Islington Council leader James Kempton, who has personally promised to fight any threatened development of the listed arcade, said that the Passage can only be protected by a new law.
“We will do all we can to protect the Mall,” he said.
“But at the end of the day we have the same powers as everyone else. It is up to the Government to change the law before we can stop so-called inappropriate or insensitive schemes.”
Mike Weedon, of the Camden Passage Traders Association, called on the public to support the small shops at the Passage.
He said: “People complain about the demise of small shops, but often they don’t come out and use them. But if they don’t small shops they will disappear.
“If you don’t go to your local deli and buy your cheese, ham or sausages it won’t be there in a few years’ time.
“As for antiques, Camden Passage has a wonderful array of unique Christmas gifts. It’s the sort of thing you can’t buy on the internet. “

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