Camden Council to develop new jewellery workshops

Camden Council has announced its support of jewellery businesses in Hatton Garden through the development of new “affordable” work spaces.

Camden, which said it hopes to help up-and-coming businesses who want to work in the area, has agreed to provide funding to business space operator Centa Business Services to refurbish the basement of 120 Holborn into eight jewellery workshops.

The owner of the building has made the space available as part of a legal agreement attached to planning permission for a gym development.

The council said that it hopes this will address a “critical” shortage of local workshop space, which is renowned as a centre for jewellers and follows on from concerns about rising rents putting an extra strain on the industry in the area.

It comes as the council is also supporting moves to develop the area as a Business Improvement District (BID), which recently organised Hatton Garden’s first-ever Christmas light switch-on.

Councillor Phil Jones, cabinet member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “We want to help and support small businesses and individuals to set up and expand so we can retain this all-important jewellery industry.

“We know that high rents are pushing businesses away so this is an excellent use of developers’ contributions. I have no doubt that this space will prove to be an attractive proposition to people who want to set up a related business.”

Gary Williams, chair of the BID, added that ensuring the area has the right mix of workshops, retail space and offices is “vital for the future vitality of Hatton Garden”.