Wishing the best for Camden Town

It's been a while since I've blogged on Hobnobs and Flake. It's a shame it took such sad news to bring me back...such crushing news. When I got Gary's text, I couldn't believe my eyes.

This past Saturday night, Camden Market suffered a horrible fate. The popular marketplace and haven for indy rockers and celebs burnt near to the ground, putting hundreds of small tradesmen and women out of business...some of whom may never be able to recover the loss or bank on recouping their businesses. Camden Market has been in existence since 1791, which gives you an awesome sense of the loss of history London has suffered from this single fire.

In addition to the marketplace, famed local pub The Hawley Arms suffered tremendous damage as well. (When Amy Winehouse won her Grammys this past Sunday, she paid her respects to the pub she frequented and the town she loves.)

I feel very lucky to have visited Camden Market and a little of Camden Town just this past August. Gary, Andrew and I took a canal tour from Little Venice to Camden Lock, landing in the heart of the Market Place. We marveled at the menagerie of filled-to-the-brim shops, stalls, and various food vendors. We really stood there for a moment after disembarking and didn't know what to head to first. We stopped at a used bookseller... (I tried to find a copy of Emma, to no avail, unfortunately.) Then off to a tiny nook of a game shop -- where I purchased a card game and a travel Scrabble, which I now cherish. We headed inside the maze of indoor vendors...stopping at t-shirt and bag booths, letting the flow of the crowd take us where it might. The array of merchandise was simply dizzying. The swaths of fabric and dimly lit chandeliers on the ceiling, mesmerizing. I'll never forget it. (I've included a few photos from our trip...)

I do hope Camden Town and the Marketplace will recover. Things will never be the same of course... How could they? But, it's a tough town and they're not keen on giving in. I think they'll come back stronger than ever. Cheer, Camden. Good on ya.

Up to 100 firefighters have been tackling a major blaze that ravaged the famous markets area in Camden Town, north London.

The fire was reportedly centred on Camden Canal Market, to the east of Chalk Farm Road.

Police closed off several roads and the Hawley Arms pub, near the source of the fire, suffered severe damage.

London Fire Brigade has said the blaze is being brought under control and there are no reports of casualties.

LFB station manager Guy Foster said the fire was centred around Camden Canal Market, where a number of market stalls had caught fire. ...

Firefighters were alerted at about 7.20pm on Saturday to the blaze which has reportedly consumed part of the Hawley Arms, a popular Camden pub which is frequented by celebrities including singer Amy Winehouse....

Conservative mayoral candidate Boris Johnson said: "This will come as a terrible blow to their livelihoods and the area generally. My thoughts are with the traders, local residents and the emergency services who are, as usual, performing brilliantly under pressure."...

The markets area is a major tourist attraction attracting up to 300,000 visitors each weekend to its six open-air and indoor markets and vibrant mix of bars, clubs, shops and restaurants. [bbc]

Camden Market: Happier Times...
August 2007