Client: labtech
Project: hawley wharf community engagement programme
What were MAKE asked to do?
Hawley Wharf in Camden Town is one of the largest mixed-use developments in London. This project is an exciting mixture of over 200 apartments, family restaurants, street food kiosks and fine dining as well as niche drinks producers, 160 indie retailers, a farmer’s market, community and event spaces, leisure facilities (such as a gym and climbing wall) and over 1,000 co-working spaces. It replaces one of Labtech’s existing Camden Markets, whilst retaining the market-feel and independent vibe but without the drug dealing that plagued the previous site.
The developers were keen to understand how local residents, workers and businesses felt about each aspect of the scheme, such as the licensing times and numbers and restaurant mix, the type of retail being proposed, the security provision, as well as the open and community spaces and the leisure offer. It wanted to use this to shape its licensing approach, retail mix, and provide a better project for residents as well as visitors.
How did MAKE do it?
We staged two drop-in events where locals could see the licensing and retail plans for the Wharf, listen to a short presentation, meet the people behind the scheme and give feedback. We brought specialist legal advisers to the drop-ins so that people could get technical answers to any legal questions.
We undertook whirlwind 30-minute guided tours of the buildings to over 150 people, opening up the space to the public for this first time (hard hats required!).
We invited 5,000 local residents and businesses to complete an online survey or to write in with their thoughts.
Local tenants’ and residents’ associations were given bespoke tours and presentations by the developers. This was considered vital by Labtech given their stake in the future of the area.
What happened next?
The feedback to the licensing and retail plans was overwhelmingly positive. Whilst there were a small number of objections, the vast majority of those who engaged, particularly those who attended the guided tours, were very enthusiastic. Key areas that residents wanted more information or assurances on was that there would be useful local shops in the development as well as management of noise and car parking. Interestingly, a key and unexpected outcome was that many Camden Town residents (30+) are too scared or put off using the town later in the evening and at night because of the degraded environment and behaviour of many of the alcohol-focused patrons. This is a key area where Camden’s public agencies - working with stakeholders like Labtech and residents - need to work hard to turn around the reality and perceptions of Camden Town.
The ideas put forward by the community also included ideas to activate the public spaces with community events, soften the building with green walling and promote community uses. These are being considered seriously by the developers.
What unique value did MAKE bring to this project?
The research was used by Labtech to show how they had listened to feedback and changed some of the operating formats and licensing hours where practically and commercially possible – in particular to ensure the possibility of any noise nuisance was eliminated. Although the vast majority of those who participated were very positive, they still received some final objections at the licensing hearing, but due to the modifications made by Labtech all of the 25 licences were granted. The report has also been used by the development team to influence those finer details which can still be improved upon as the project comes to fruition.