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Fire-hit Camden market to reopen Camden market reopens after blaze
(about 9 hours later)
London's Camden Canal Market is to officially reopen more than a year after being gutted by a huge fire. London's Camden Canal Market has officially reopened more than a year after being gutted by a huge fire.
The blaze in February 2008 devastated the famous north London market and led to some of the 1840s buildings which housed the stalls being demolished.The blaze in February 2008 devastated the famous north London market and led to some of the 1840s buildings which housed the stalls being demolished.
Some areas reopened after two weeks but the Canal Market, part of Camden Lock Village, was particularly badly hit.Some areas reopened after two weeks but the Canal Market, part of Camden Lock Village, was particularly badly hit.
A £4m refurbishment leading to the reopening has added 150 more stalls to the 60 which traded before the fire.A £4m refurbishment leading to the reopening has added 150 more stalls to the 60 which traded before the fire.
More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze which tore through the market and neighbouring buildings, including six shops and the Hawley Arms pub.More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze which tore through the market and neighbouring buildings, including six shops and the Hawley Arms pub.
There was a fear that this bit of Camden would turn into a standard High Street when it was redeveloped, but thankfully we've managed to avoid that Matthew McMillan Camden Town UnlimitedThere was a fear that this bit of Camden would turn into a standard High Street when it was redeveloped, but thankfully we've managed to avoid that Matthew McMillan Camden Town Unlimited
The fire, which was started by a gas heater left on in one of the stalls, is estimated to have caused damage put at £30m.The fire, which was started by a gas heater left on in one of the stalls, is estimated to have caused damage put at £30m.
Owners Camden Market Holdings said the new stalls sold out in just 10 hours with 3,000 businesses on a waiting list.Owners Camden Market Holdings said the new stalls sold out in just 10 hours with 3,000 businesses on a waiting list.
Project director Mark Alper said: "This is a really important area for small businesses and it's great that we can reopen to give the area a boost in what is a very difficult time for retail.Project director Mark Alper said: "This is a really important area for small businesses and it's great that we can reopen to give the area a boost in what is a very difficult time for retail.
"Camden is really important as a place for people to start up in business."Camden is really important as a place for people to start up in business.
"The re-launch gives our young artisans a great chance and I'd urge people to come and support them.""The re-launch gives our young artisans a great chance and I'd urge people to come and support them."
Some areas around the fire-hit market reopened within a fortnightSome areas around the fire-hit market reopened within a fortnight
The market's area is a major tourist attraction, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors each weekend to its six open-air and indoor markets and bars, clubs, shops and restaurants.The market's area is a major tourist attraction, drawing as many as 300,000 visitors each weekend to its six open-air and indoor markets and bars, clubs, shops and restaurants.
There were fears many people would lose their jobs at the time of the fire but Mr Alper claims to have created more than 400 jobs during the refurbishment.There were fears many people would lose their jobs at the time of the fire but Mr Alper claims to have created more than 400 jobs during the refurbishment.
Traders affected by the fire, some of whom were uninsured, received a combined total of £750,000 in financial help.Traders affected by the fire, some of whom were uninsured, received a combined total of £750,000 in financial help.
The London Development Agency set up a £250,000 recovery fund and a £500,000 fund was created by Camden Market Holdings.The London Development Agency set up a £250,000 recovery fund and a £500,000 fund was created by Camden Market Holdings.
Matthew McMillan, deputy chief executive of Camden Town Unlimited, a coalition of local businesses, said: "There was a fear that this bit of Camden would turn into a standard High Street when it was redeveloped, but thankfully we've managed to avoid that."Matthew McMillan, deputy chief executive of Camden Town Unlimited, a coalition of local businesses, said: "There was a fear that this bit of Camden would turn into a standard High Street when it was redeveloped, but thankfully we've managed to avoid that."