Islington News: Mall Traders

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 25 July 2008

Business is good, say Mall traders

TRADERS at the Mall, Camden Passage’s jewel in the crown, were hopeful this week that the current downturn in the economy may offer them a reprieve from eviction.
They also argued that unlike the rest of business UK the antique trade – always a specialist collector’s market – was actually booming.
Up to 40 traders (some pictured above) had been told that they had to vacate the listed former tram-shed at the Angel by this month or be evicted.
To date seven have gone and the rest have been told by London Associated Properties that they can remain at least until September.
Islington Council refused LAP permission early this year to gut the interior of the building with a view to offering it to a large retail store. The company are awaiting results of an appeal. Meanwhile the seven vacated units are being offered by LAP on two-month leases.
Gianfranco Serra, owner of Out of the Attic, who has traded in the Mall for four years, said he was hopeful of staying.
He said: “With the current downturn I would have thought this is not a time to do a new development. This is the time to consolidate what we have now. Business is good in the Mall so why change anything?”
Arts and crafts jeweller Yan Vadenbosch said: “I believe this is entirely the wrong economic climate for development.”
A petition has been signed by 600 campaigners fighting to save the Mall.

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