Morgane in homeware shop Haygen

THE usually unremarkable brick colonnade outside Angel tube station has been temporarily converted into an outdoor photography exhibition that celebrates the business owners of nearby Camden Passage.

The pedestrianised stretch of shops adjacent to Upper Street, once dominated by antiques traders, is now home to cafés, restaurants, galleries and a bi-weekly street market.

But according to Islington-based photographer Gary Williams, it is the close-knit community of business owners that makes Camden Passage special.

Mr Williams started photographing people in the passage as a casual project during the pandemic, and four years and 5,000 portraits later he has made a book and an exhibition of the photographs.

“I think the secret of the Passage is the special sense of community you’ll find there,” he said.

Kitch owner Scott Humphreys, sitting, with his partner Luca Jones and dog Gaston

Mr Williams noted that 18 businesses have changed hands in Camden Passage since he started his project, likely due to rising rental costs in the area.

“Like every shopping street, it’s constantly changing and adapting but despite the challenges it continues to thrive,” he added.

Scott Humphreys, the owner of hair salon Kitch, is featured in the exhibition with his partner and dog, Gaston, who can usually be found in the salon window eyeing passersby. “It’s such a unique little street and it’s lovely to celebrate it,” Scott told the Tribune.

Morgane is another Camden Passage fan. She picked up weekend shifts at homeware shop Haygen when she came to London as a student four years ago, and just kept coming back.

She puts it down to the community feel in the passage, where all the business owners have a WhatsApp chat and look out for each other.

Gareth, the landlord of the Camden Head pub, said: “I reckon this street must have magical powers because I’ve never once experienced anything but kindness and support from the people here. I’ve honestly never experienced anything else like it in London.”