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I was born in Camden and its been my home for well over thirty years. In my youth Camden was cosmetically less polished than it is today - where Waterstone's, Burger King and McDonalds now stand used to be shops selling carpets. Other store fronts were simply boarded up and not in use. Like many other kids growing up in London, childhood was BMX's, Skateboards at Talacre and Catalowspark, and going down the arcade.
At the far end of Camden High Street, Morning Crescent tube station spent an entire childhood closed for repairs, to open then for a few weeks, only to then close again. Camden Town station itself remained a fairly consistent junction for North Londoners (now at the weekends, in the summer months, in operation a "getting off only at Camden policy," due to the crowds).
The Market area has also seen changes. Inverness Street Market has become the new mecca of tourist gifts and bags, looking out towards the Stalls Markets. Further down the recent fire forced a complete refurbishment of the market area I only knew as the "market that runs along the canal", while into the Stables markets, a Blade Runneresque city is being constructed.
And what about the traders, the craftsmen and artisans that have always made the market what it is? Twenty or so years ago Camden Market was on the streets, people would literally turn up with their crafts, open their suitcase and start selling. But a change in the law meant that police cautions were no longer given to street traders that did not have a street traders licence, they were just taken away. What this did is push many traders to open stores in the market area, while others just stopped coming. When you look at the crouds today, you can see that it would have been impossible to continue.
Nowadays you might be forgiven for the sensation that you're in an airport transfer terminal as periodically and consistently items on sale repeat themselves. But, to say that the market has lost its old spirit would be falling very short of the mark.
Camden Market today being transformed into a brand and a tourist destination with support and investment, and the help of Camden's residents, so that it can, after many many years, be exposed as the truly unique and wonderful experience it has always been. I
The market is simply one of the most comopolitan and culturally diverse markets you'll find anywhere in the World, and the best bit is that you don't have to pay an entrance fee, just open your eyes and enjoy.
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