Tim Norton and Adva Shimshy

FED-UP residents say this is the last year they will allow their parks to be ruined by private events.

They want the annual Clerkenwell Design Week to get off their green spaces after the damage from this year’s event left large patches of dusty dirt where grass used to be.

The three-day event showcases thousands of interior design products and projects annually in Spa Fields and St James’ Church Gardens.

“These parks are well-used and used to be green spaces. Why take that away?” said Adva Shimshy, who lives in Bowling Green Lane.

She added: “If you walk through Spa Fields in the evening, it’s packed. People want to sit on the grass. These are parks, not private gardens, there’s no lock on them.

“The most disappointing thing is that after the pandemic and the lockdowns, when the parks proved to be one of the things that kept people sane, you would think the council would have appreciated them more and realised the value they give.”

Tim Norton, another Clerkenwell resident who works in large-scale outdoor events, said: “This is what two weeks of carelessness does [to the grass].

“You simply cannot have an event the size they’re doing without wrecking the space. Unless they’re prepared to bite the bullet and do proper remedial works: shut the parks for longer and do the repair work and face the consequences of that.”

Damage to the grass in Spa Fields

In Spa Fields, a large two-storey structure was set up to facilitate the event, taking up most of the green space.

“The structures they use aren’t making any use of the park at all. It’s not outdoor stalls or anything,” said Mr Norton.

He and Ms Shimshy are part of a wider group, and they say residents will put up a fight to stop this from happening again.

“There are enough people to make a fuss, be it at council meetings or whatever, because it cannot go on,” Mr Norton said. “It’s illogical for it to go on. There’s no real benefit to it for anyone for it to continue as it has. Clerkenwell Design Week makes money for lots of people every year, and that’s great.

“But, why are they wrecking our park when the London Design Centre is on Upper Street?”

They were keen to stress that residents don’t want the event to be cancelled, just moved.

“Clerkenwell Design Week is a trade event, and it benefits lots of people and businesses in the area. We’re not saying cancel it, we’re saying get it off the grass,” said Ms Shimshy.

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “All income from events in parks, including Clerkenwell Design Week, goes to the parks service and helps pay for Islington’s parks.

“Also, we support events in parks which add to the cultural life of our borough, and Clerkenwell Design Week is an important event for the local area.

“Clerkenwell Design Week also funds other benefits for local residents including free fitness sessions, and free tickets to other events.

“The damage to the grassed areas in St James’ has already been repaired and works will begin to repair Spa Fields as soon as a water supply issue is resolved. The repairs to any damage on grassed areas are paid for by the event organisers.”