Client: LABTECH
Project: Buck Street Market - Community Engagement
What were MAKE asked to do?
Buck Street is one of Camden’s famous markets. However, as well as some funky vintage clothes, it has also been a location for crime and the sales of counterfeit goods in the past. New owners Labtech wanted to keep the spirit of the existing market – intriguing, independent, quirky whilst giving it an overhaul that kept the best traders and brought in new ones with an ethical and environmentally positive agenda.
A key aspect of the new premises was the introduction of super high-quality good value street food traders as well as micro-restaurants run by high-end chefs. MAKE was asked to gauge local opinion on how the plans would be received by locals and how they might want them improved.
How did MAKE do it?
We organised two open house events with models, graphics and series of speakers about the project. These events brought passionate and heated debate about the future of the market.
We also undertook online surveys using social media to promote community participation and received hundreds of meaningful and considered responses.
In particular, given that the market is within the Cumulative Impact Area of Camden’s Licensing Policy, it was important to understand if local people felt the proposals to sell alcohol, however limited, would be acceptable. For most they were satisfactory.
We tested these technical aspects of the development alongside the conceptual and visionary qualities of creating a market that would become a flagship London ethical and environmental retail destination. People were excited about this and suggested their own favourite ethical brands and traders to be considerd for leases.
What happened next?
Buck Street Market is now open. It has a range of new eco traders and some fantastic restaurants and food vendors. Local views have informed the approach to licensing hours, design of the building’s external structure and the types of trader inside. It is another key plank in the regeneration and improvement of Camden High Street. Go visit!
What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?
Our unique knowledge of running and research retail markets as well resident research meant that we were able to tailor the community engagement with meaningful questions that reflect the life of a working market rather than a generic regeneration consultation programme.