Camden Lock Market
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Camden Lock Market, is one of the six markets which form the shopping district in the Camden Town district of London, England collectively called Camden Market. It is situated by the Regent's Canal on a site formerly occupied by warehouses and other premises connected with the canal. By the early 1970s the canal trade had ceased. At the time there was a proposal to build an urban motorway through the site, which made any major redevelopment impossible, so in 1974 a temporary market was established instead. By the time the motorway proposal was abandoned in 1976, the market was flourishing, and on its way to becoming the best known feature of Camden Town. Camden Market as a whole is now so popular that Camden Town tube station operates special entrance and exit rules at the weekend.
Camden Lock Market was originally a craft market, occupying some outdoor areas by the canal and various existing buildings. The range of goods has widened, with stalls selling books, clothing, second hand clothing and jewellery, but it is still the most craft focused of the Camden Markets. There is a large selection of catering stalls outside. A three storey indoor market hall designed by architect John Dickinson opened in 1991. It is built of brick with a large amount of cast iron work in a traditional style, and is almost indistinguishable from the 19th century industrial architecture and housing in the area.
As of 2006 a large indoor market hall is under construction in a yard between the Camden Lock Market and the Stables Market, which was previously used for open air stalls.
