London,
14
January
2022
|
11:50
Europe/London

Camden makes first pledges of £20,500 to support local high street recovery

Camden Council has pledged £20,500 to two projects to help support the recovery of the borough’s local high streets.

Camden Future High Streets Crowdfund is a council initiative in partnership with civic crowdfunding platform Spacehive.  The two projects are the first to receive support out of the fund of up to £360,000 the Council has set aside for the crowdfund, which has been set up to support the delivery of innovative, forward thinking projects that support the re-imagining of Camden’s high streets and recovery for a sustainable future. 

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Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, Culture and an Inclusive Economy

“Even before the impact of the pandemic, our high streets, along with those across the country, were feeling the strain of increased costs, and people’s changing shopping and socialising habits.

“From the projects that came forward for the first funding round, we have selected two impressive bids that both meet the criteria to help make our high streets even more inclusive, sustainable and successful, as well as supporting our Future High Streets’ vision and objectives.

“The projects are still running their campaigns and raising money to reach their targets and I would encourage individuals and organisations to show their support and get involved by donating to a campaign.”

Councillor Danny Beales, Cabinet Member for Investing in Communities, Culture and an Inclusive Economy
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You can find out more at: spacehive.com/movement/camden

The projects are:

  • £11,000 has been awarded to help realise “Camden’s sustainable interactive market” that supports Camden's artisans, traders and charities and offers interactive workshops and events taking place at Buck Street Market. This project has also secured an in-kind donation of £7,200 by LabTech.

Mark Hall, project lead, said: “Camden’s generous pledge has shone a light upon us that hopefully will encourage others to support this project that aims to sustainably and interactively engage our high streets, growing our community together for the better”

Maggie Milosavljevic, Commercial Director for Markets at LabTech said: “Camden Market Buck Street's vision has always been that of a community-focused meeting place. Our aim is to encourage locals to make sustainably focused choices, including buying handmade goods from independent traders and making informed lunch and dinner choices. It is our pleasure to pledge £7,200 to this campaign, to provide free of charge market space, and we are excited to partner with Camden Council on sourcing fresh, new, independent talent and those that are looking to start their own fledgling businesses to add to our vibrant trader community."

  •  A further £9,500 has been pledged to Kentish Town based organisation Town Spot, who promote business and culture in the NW5 area by interviewing local business owners, creating window displays, and offering a WhatsApp neighbourhood newsletter with local events and positive news.

Mike Gyi, Founder of Town Spot, said: “Thank you to Camden Council for placing so much faith in Town Spot. I have been plugging away for 2-3 years at this project and this feels like a big moment of validation and support. However, we only receive the money if we hit our target - so please pledge and spread the word!”

The Council is also looking to support a third project by the Sir Hubert Von Herkomer Arts Foundation, who will be launching a campaign soon to create and design street art on shop shutters in Gospel Oak.

The Council has allocated up to £360,000 to the crowdfund, with up to £35,000 per project, covering maximum 50% of project costs, available to help selected successful projects who manage to get wider support. The projects will be required to generate the remainder of their project costs through crowdfunding.

The next funding round will open in early Spring 2022. The Council is encouraging anyone with exciting projects for Camden’s high streets to come forward by completing the expression of interest form or getting in touch via crowdfundcamden@camden.gov.uk

  • Spacehive is a funding platform for projects that bring local civic and community spaces to life. Its vision is a world where anyone can shape their local area to create places that make people happy, proud and prosperous. 
  • Camden Council has partnered with Spacehive to launch its Future High Streets Crowdfund. To find out more, visit spacehive.com/movement/camden 
  • To learn more about the projects currently crowdfunding, see https://www.spacehive.com/movement/camden/projects 
    There will be a second funding round in Spring 2022. Individuals or organisations that want to get involved can submit an expression of interest form
  • Camden Future High Streets Crowdfund fits into Camden’s Future High Streets Programme and builds on the work the council has done in this area. Camden Council is supporting local high streets through the pandemic and into a robust recovery and re-imagined future and has developed Camden Future High Streets: Re-Imagining High Streets.  This prospectus sets out the vision and for the future of high streets in the borough. 
  •  Companies, foundations and public bodies interested in supporting projects alongside Camden Council should contact partner@spacehive.com