Work at Charlton Place began some six weeks ago

BUSINESSES and traders are demanding compensation for money lost during roadworks by the council.

At a Town Hall meeting yesterday (Thursday), Camden Passage shopkeepers and traders demanded money back from Islington Council for the disruption caused by its work on Charlton Place.

The council began work six weeks ago which included digging up Charlton Place and re-paving it.

Steve Fernandes owns the cafe Kape Connection on the famous street and says he’s noticed a significant drop in sales since the work started.

“We’re right where the work is going on and we depend on daily sales to cover our rent. When they blocked the road on Charlton Place we immediately noticed that the footfall stopped. We’re on the far side of Charlton Place, so we get a lot of traffic from people who cross over, and they blocked that crossing with their works – people like tourists just won’t explore the passage if they see the works.

Steve Fernandes, owner of Kape Connection café

“The noise was bad as well when they were digging up the road and everything. We mostly have outside seating where people like to sit outside and enjoy the passage. But, with the noise and dust, people just ­didn’t want to sit and that has 100 per cent damaged our business. We’ve seen a drop in sales and people coming in.”

Tom Clarke, who has been involved with the market for 30 years as a stallholder and now as its manager, said: “A significant amount of trade has been lost on Wednesdays and Saturdays, our busiest days, because of the incredible noise and dust.

“The first Wednesday after the work started, all of the stallholders went home before lunchtime because of the noise, which made it impossible to communicate, and the dust. Subsequently, some traders didn’t come because they couldn’t carry their stuff to their tables through the obstacle course of the workmen. So, they lost a day’s trading. I would estimate that we’ve lost about 50 per cent in stall rent on Wednesdays and Saturdays now.”

Owen Weston

Traders are suffering too. The works have blocked off Charlton Place, which many of the traders park in to bring goods to their stalls.

Owen Weston, an antiques trader at the passage said: “At my end of the market we’ve always used Camden Walk to unload our stuff, but because Charlton Place is closed off, all of the traders are having to use Camden Walk to bring our goods in. There isn’t enough parking space for everyone so the queue is massive. I just have to wait until there’s space for me to park, so I have to start later and I’m definitely losing customers in the morning.”

Tom Clarke

Islington’s executive member for environment, air quality and transport, Councillor Rowena Champion, said: “We know how popular an area Camden Passage is, and the redesigned carriageway will help improve safety for the many pedestrians who cross between the two sections of the passage by reducing vehicle speeds.

“Research shows that people who walk, cycle, or use public transport to visit high streets spend 40 per cent more than those who travel by car, so we look forward to seeing the positive impact of these changes on businesses.

“We’ve carried out extensive engagement with businesses about the changes and will continue to listen carefully to their feedback and any concerns. These changes are supported by many businesses on the passage, and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefits that they bring.”