Drummond Street's restaurants get makeover amid HS2 impact

Drummond Street, close to Euston Station, is known for its shops and restaurants, many established by first-generation Indian and Bangladeshi immigrants.

In recent years, these businesses have faced disruption and declining footfall due to the ongoing construction of HS2 nearby.

But now, thanks to Euston Town BID, Camden Council, and Jan Kattein Architects, the street has undergone a transformation to celebrate the area's heritage.

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Drummond Street is famous for its Indian restaurants and shops (Image: Sam Rockman)

The £650k project, awarded by the HS2 Business and Local Economy Fund, was matched by the BID.

The transformation involved making improvements to 13 shops and restaurants, as well as purchasing temporary street furniture for use during festivals.

Individual changes to each shopfront, developed in collaboration with the business owners, were designed to fit in with the architecture of the buildings and celebrate the street's history.

Among the transformed storefronts are Diwana, featuring Indian patterns, while rich turmeric colours brighten Raavi, and neon letters emerge from a curry serving dish at Chutney's.

More recent tenants have also benefited from the project, including the Hot Pepper café, featuring tile patterns that acknowledge the owner's Turkish roots, and the Cocoa Treats café occupying a former saree shop.

Hot Pepper Cafe is among those to have been given a makeover (Image: Sam Rockman)

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Cllr Danny Beales, Camden Council's cabinet member for new homes, jobs and community investment, said: “These improvements are most welcome to Drummond Street, an iconic neighbourhood that has helped to shape the identity and vibrant character of this area, and which since HS2 construction began has suffered from huge disruption and a decline in footfall that has impacted on businesses and residents.

“We are closely working with the Euston Town BID to support, sustain and revive businesses in the area and have fought hard to secure this funding to improve the public realm, with things such as outside dining spaces, events and promotional activities."

The origins of Drummond Street's food culture can be traced back to the 1960s, when Indian workers migrated to the area after the Second World War.

The street hosted the first Ambala and Gupta stores, and the first Patak's shop, which evolved into its famous brand.

Many of the oldest restaurants specialising in South Indian vegetarian street food can still be found in the street today.