Headline was a blow to the Electric Ballroom

Published: August 4, 2011

I AM writing to you regarding the July 14 article about what Brian Coleman said about the Electric Ballroom – that the ballroom should have been sacrificed in order to have a new tube station. 

Even more upsetting to me was the headline (‘Ballroom reprieve was a big mistake’).

I would just like to bring to the newspaper’s and Brian Coleman’s attention that the ballroom staying was not the reason why Camden town tube station was not developed.

It was because of the size and scale of the development and what was proposed that was rejected at the public inquiry. The scale of the plans, including a 14-floor office block, were deemed to be out of context with the area.

Let’s not forget what Camden Town is known for – music and markets. You take away music and markets and put in another massive office block it would completely ruin why thousands of tourists come to Camden.

Plus the development was going to take in the region of 10 years to build. I think everybody agreed it was not necessary to do something so big!

I even just received a letter from Jonathan Simpson Camden’s first music “tzar”.

This just goes to highlight how important music and especially live music is to Camden.

I do understand you report news and it’s not what you are saying, it’s what Brian Coleman said.

What he stated was not factually correct and the main headline statement was a blow to the Electric Ballroom and the people who work hard here every day and whose jobs were at stake when this all came about.

We don’t feel like having to relive that stressful horrible time. We just felt it was very inconsiderate.

We have always supported our local newspaper in the past and they did us!

I would just like to add we have always supported an upgrade to the tube station but felt it unnecessary for the above-ground development which would have allowed London Underground to cash in on lucrative rents from more high street retail chains and office space.

Camden High Street would have become just another carbon copy London high street.
Kate Fuller
Electric Ballroom