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Dear Friends of Regent's Canal,
It is incredibly important that our heritage be safeguarded, and not be allowed to erode. It would appear that the signage in this instance is not suitable, and that Starbucks are wanting to take over the information centre. It could be argued that people visiting Starbucks who might not otherwise have visited the information centre might be drawn in by the Starbucks brand, then look and learn about the canal and its history, but this will cease to be the case if it becomes a coffee shop with no prominence given to the raison d'etre of the building. Tighter controls should be maintained over our historic buildings - it is all too easy for them to slip away into a corporate mush. Thank you for your continued efforts to try to maintain the heritage of our waterways. With all good wishes, Ben Pope. 19th April 2012 |
Statement from the North & East London Branch of the Inland Waterways Association regarding the Planning Application by Starbucks for a change of use of the existing Canal Information Centre at the Lock Keepers Cottage 289 Camden High Street. London NW1 7BXThe Inland Waterways Association is opposed to the current proposals outlined in the Camden Planning Application 2012/1674/P .The Government has recently proposed the Waterways be run by a ‘Big Society’ Trust. Its aim in doing this is to allow the general public to play a more active role in maintain and promoting the benefits of the waterways to the wider community. It is wrong that, just at the time when the Canals need a more open ‘window’ for the public to easily obtain more information about them, Starbucks seek to take away the sole Canal Information facility in London, by degrading it to an ancillary feature within a heritage building that effectively becomes a mixed use retail and coffee shop. The Lock Keepers Cottage is an iconic heritage building that, since its construction, has always been a key element in the canal landscape. To take away those last vestiges of its heritage and past , by downgrading its status as a Canal Information Centre , poses a major loss to the public amenity of the Camden waterside. The planning submission, as it currently stands, is unacceptable to those who love the waterways and seek to promote them for wider public use. Roger Squires. Hon Secretary, North & East London Branch, Inland Waterways Association. 2nd May 2012 |
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My current approach is to identify some important conditions, to enable shared use of the building.
The first three conditions relate to signage, accessibility and noise levels.
Firstly, I believe that we need two, equally proportioned, signs at the main entrance,
one for the Canal Information Centre and one for Starbucks, so that visitors and coffee customers
all know that they are entering a public space; secondly, that visitors need to be able to walk freely
to the rear of the building, without feeling guilty about not spending money at the coffee counter;
thirdly that the acoustics must allow visitors and volunteers of all age groups to relax and converse,
without competing with amplified music. I am assuming that most of you agree that these conditions are reasonable
and inexpensive and that if they cannot be met then our only option will be to divide the building
into two partitions and to re-activate the side door.
27th April 2012. |
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Subject: LOCK KEEPERS COTTAGE APPLICATION
Dear Neil Zaayman, LOCK KEEPERS COTTAGE Planning Application 2012/1674/P Regents Canal Conservation Area Please find attached a letter in response to the consultation of the above planning application, and strongly recommending rejection of the application. It may be a bit long, but I think it is useful to provide additional details and a certain amount of background information. I also include three Appendices (attached) as additional background information: APPENDIX 1 Extract from s106 Agreement to Planning Ref: PE 9700702/R3 APPENDIX 2 Draft suggestions for the reinstatement of the Information Centre APPENDIX 3 Copy of a previous response to consultation a year ago. Although Starbucks comes in for a lot of criticism for their attempt to takeover the Lock Keepers Cottage, I draw attention to the considerable and repeated shortcomings of the two authorities involved, LB Camden and British Waterways. The decision on this planning application should not stop at a rejection notice, as it would be appropriate for recommendations to be made for a positive outcome resulting in the revival of the Canal Information Centre. If an effort is made to operate the centre in a businesslike manner, it will become a most valuable asset to the Regents Canal and to Camden Town. Yours sincerely, Del Brenner Regents Network and a member of the London Waterways Commission 11th May 2012. |