[title]
From Britpop to indie sleaze, and of course, Amy Winehouse, Camden will forever be associated with some of the greatest eras of British music. Home to the likes of the Roundhouse, Jazz Cafe and Dublin Castle, it’s still an essential part of London music DNA.
But now, the borough of Camden could be branching out. Camden Council has adopted the ‘Regis Road Area Guidance’, a supplementary planning document that could make way for plans to turn part of Kentish Town into Camden Film Quarter.
Real estate investment firm Yoo Capital (the same folk behind west London’s Olympia), has revealed a £1bn masterplan to create a new neighbourhood dedicated to the silver screen. It’ll submit planning permission to the council later this year.
It envisions an area full of ‘cutting-edge’ film and TV facilities, in partnership with the National Film and Television School and the London Screen Academy. That includes soundstages, workshop space, state of the art studios and public-facing studio tours.
On top of that, there’ll be new homes (with a target of making 50 percent of those affordable), green space, cycle lanes and a bunch of new restaurants, cafes and galleries.
Lloyd Lee, managing partner, Yoo Capital, said: ‘We are thrilled that the Regis Road Area Guidance has been adopted by Camden, marking a step towards our vision to bring forward a world-class destination for film, television and digital content production in the heart of Camden.’
The borough has featured in loads of blockbusters in recent years, including Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Steve McQueen’s Blitz and Paddington 3.
Last year, Lee told Deadline: ‘I think that you could see a family coming to do a studio tour, see how movies are made and going into spaces where someone was filming, seeing golf carts go back and forth. They should feel like they’re in the film and television corner of London.’
Next steps for the plan will see Yoo Capital submit more detailed proposals in order to secure planning permission. Those are expected later this year and if everything gets the green light, work could start on the Camden Film Quarter in 2026.
Did you see that Camden is getting a brand-new music venue?
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.