Camden Passage
Encyclopedia
Camden Passage is a pedestrian passage off Upper Street
in the London Borough of Islington
. The passage is known for its many antiques shops, and hosts an antique market on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. It was built, as an alley, along the backs of houses on Upper Street, then Islington High Street, in 1767.
The antiques market was founded in the 1960s, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
by John Payton. The venture was initially successful, attracting over 350 traders, but recently the centre of Islington has undergone regeneration, leading to higher rents being asked at the renewal of leases. There is an ongoing campaign to save a former tram shed - at the southern end of the market, which for many years had been used as an electricity sub-station. In 1979, this was converted to use by 35 specialist antique dealers, however the owners are now seeking to redevelop the site. The building is a Grade II listed building. Its severe windowless brick aspect is dictated by its original use, English Heritage
describe its architecture as influenced by, and a tribute to, Newgate Prison
(by George Dance the Younger
), which had been demolished in 1902, three years before this building's construction by the LCC
.
Camden Passage also has the Camden Head public house
, which holds comedy nights for local comedians.
Upper Street
Upper Street is the main shopping street of the Islington district of inner north London, and carries the A1 road. It runs from the junction of the A1 and Pentonville Road and City Road, and runs roughly northwards past Angel tube station, then past the Business Design Centre, then splits at...
in the London Borough of Islington
London Borough of Islington
The London Borough of Islington is a London borough in Inner London. It was formed in 1965 by merging the former metropolitan boroughs of Islington and Finsbury. The borough contains two Westminster parliamentary constituencies, Islington North and Islington South & Finsbury...
. The passage is known for its many antiques shops, and hosts an antique market on Wednesdays and Saturday mornings. It was built, as an alley, along the backs of houses on Upper Street, then Islington High Street, in 1767.
The antiques market was founded in the 1960s, in conjunction with the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
Metropolitan Borough of Islington
The Metropolitan Borough of Islington was a Metropolitan borough within the County of London from 1900 to 1965, when it was amalgamated with the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury to form the London Borough of Islington.-Boundaries:...
by John Payton. The venture was initially successful, attracting over 350 traders, but recently the centre of Islington has undergone regeneration, leading to higher rents being asked at the renewal of leases. There is an ongoing campaign to save a former tram shed - at the southern end of the market, which for many years had been used as an electricity sub-station. In 1979, this was converted to use by 35 specialist antique dealers, however the owners are now seeking to redevelop the site. The building is a Grade II listed building. Its severe windowless brick aspect is dictated by its original use, English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
describe its architecture as influenced by, and a tribute to, Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison
Newgate Prison was a prison in London, at the corner of Newgate Street and Old Bailey just inside the City of London. It was originally located at the site of a gate in the Roman London Wall. The gate/prison was rebuilt in the 12th century, and demolished in 1777...
(by George Dance the Younger
George Dance the Younger
George Dance the Younger was an English architect and surveyor. The fifth and youngest son of George Dance the Elder, he came from a distinguished family of architects, artists and dramatists...
), which had been demolished in 1902, three years before this building's construction by the LCC
London County Council
London County Council was the principal local government body for the County of London, throughout its 1889–1965 existence, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today known as Inner London and was replaced by the Greater London Council...
.
Camden Passage also has the Camden Head public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
, which holds comedy nights for local comedians.