Years of campaigning saw a deal reached in January this year between Camden Council and HS2 Ltd for residents of Cartmel, Coniston and Langdale blocks of the Regent's Park Estate, to move to housing away from the construction whilst the building of HS2 takes place.
Most residents have now made the move from the estate and, in doing so, created a fantastic opportunity which has so far seen 90 of the vacant flats turned into creative studios for local artists as part of a collaboration between Camden Council and Bow Arts.
Bow Arts is an arts and education-based charity that aims to offer creative, sustainable activity within local communities, providing work, learning and creative opportunities alongside lifelong affordable access to the arts.
Over 150 affordable creative studios will be created through the partnership creating workspaces for artists, designers and makers in the local area and will mark one of the largest affordable space offers in the Capital.
2022 saw Bow Arts carry out a pilot scheme which saw 17 adopted flats create 39 workspaces for use within the creative arts community, repurposing the flats which have become ‘virtually uninhabitable' due to work being carried out for HS2. These spaces mark some of the most affordable workspaces across London.
Bow Arts is also committed to providing 15 rent-free workspaces to support established community groups or as a multi-purpose hub space. As the ongoing construction of HS2 is estimated to complete in 2033, this impressive project will provide amazing opportunities for local grassroots organisations.
The partnership between Camden Council and Bow Arts will also build a connection with Bow Arts creative hub studios in London and Camden creatives, alongside providing Bow Art's artist-led Bow Skills sessions and Learning Programme.
Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council said:
“Residents in this area have been really suffering due to HS2 construction disruption – which was why it was so important we agreed a deal with HS2 Ltd, last year for residents in Cartmel, Coniston and Langdale blocks to be moved to alternative homes.”
“However, with these blocks now mainly empty, we can't have these and the wider Euston area shut off from our communities while HS2 Ltd. pause on Euston Station. Where it is safe to do so, we want these spaces to be opened up for our community to use.”
“Projects like Bow Arts meet a huge local need for affordable workspace and helps us keep the creative talent which is integral to Camden's DNA in the heart of our borough. We will be pushing for a full range of meanwhile uses across the Euston site and impacted areas – this could be pop-up parks or open space, or accessible, affordable space for activities or work, for our communities' benefit.”
Marcel Baettig, CEO and Founder of Bow Arts said:
“The cost of property is driving young artists, designers and makers further and further out of London, in search of spaces to live and work in. The loss of talent and skills from these essential creative workers is massive; both for the economy of the city, but fundamentally for the lives of local communities living within London.”
“It is vital to keep artists in our cities – this new and unique partnership between Camden Council and Bow Arts is committed to creating over 150+ new truly affordable creative workspaces that will help early-career artists stay in London, and embed them within the local community.”
Joss Taylor, Head of Enterprise and Placemaking at Bow Arts, said:
“Bow Arts is an arts charity and a social enterprise. We stand for investment that is retained locally, and wherever we work, our goal is to create inclusive welcoming environments, where people can learn, develop and be supported, whether they're an artist, a student or a local resident.”
“It is vital to keep artists in our cities”
WHY? What IS vital is having as much affordable housing as possible for people who – unlike artists – HAVE to live in London, because that’s where their employers are.
We don’t need ‘affordable studios for artists’ in London; artists can work in ANY part of the country (and many do!). This scheme in NO way compensates for the loss of housing in London, and will only increase prices for those who HAVE to work in London.