Camden Road is thriving. And so it should be – with a combination of long-established neighbourhood favourites, and new premises throwing their doors open at an encouraging rate, this vibrant street is fast becoming the place to be for town centre indies. It’s the area best known for off the beaten path businesses, that aren’t actually too far off the beaten path. The feeling is that of an artisan community where both retro and achingly hip combine – where old school greengrocers trade alongside a children’s shoe store, a lighting showroom, local radio station, plant-based cafes and chocolate gurus. The overwhelming thing that connects the businesses here is passion, for the products they sell, and the community they serve.
Food is another communal thread, with a multitude of different eateries for various palettes, ranging from homely Il Vesuvio Italian, to Rendezvous for the gastronomes, passing sourdough specialists Bicycle Bakery and Aussies’ Black Dog Café.
And if it’s just the treats you’re after, Fuggles Bottle Shop and Goupies are on hand to offer craft beers and confectionery.
Grace, of Goupie, elaborates: “There are so many foodie options, it’s almost as if there’s an imaginary checklist for cuisine that someone’s checking off for the road! We have vegan options, French, Italian, Greek, you name it, and they’re all independents like us!”
Geff Stone, owner of The Plant Base, which promotes clean eating, says “I’ve always loved Camden Road. When I opened the Plant Base, it was the only road I considered. It really does have its own bohemian spirit. It’s so great to be a part of a supportive community of independent traders, we really want each other to do well.”
This community approach is what allows Camden Road to feel like a local neighbourhood, despite its central town centre status – and with West Kent Radio now based here, it promises to become a hub for the wider borough, really showing why this unique showcase of entrepreneurial spirits is something to shout about.
To find out more about RTW Together, and the collective of town centre businesses it represents, visit www.rtwtogether.com, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @rtwtogether
