Old Street student halls to house Olympic officials
Islington is to house hundreds of Olympic officials next summer.
A student halls of residence Canto Court in Old Street, Finsbury Park, is one of four venues in the borough which will be turned into temporary hostels for Olympic staff as property owners cash-in.
At a meeting on Thursday, members of the Islington Council planning committee approved an application from Unite Plc to temporarily change the use of the building between July 12 and September 9 next year for members of the Olympic and Paralympic committees.
Rooms in Canto Court, an eight-storey block offering 164 bedsits, cost �314 a week and include en suite bathroom. It will revert back to student accommodation after the Olympics.
The three other venues are Picadilly Court in Caledonian Road, Islington, Wedgwood Court in Holloway Road, Holloway and Charles Morton Court in Green Lanes, Newington Green.
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Cllr Paul Convery, the council executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said such use of student accommodation made sense and will benefit the local economy.
“Islington Council is 100 per cent behind the Olympics and we will have more exciting news over the next six months about how residents can get involved,” he added.
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The Business Design Centre in Upper Street, Islington, will become a base for the Czech Republic Olympic committee and stage various events promoting the country between July 27 and August 12.
The exhibition complex plans to showcase Czech theatre, dancing and music performances and also offer a restaurant, a merchandising area, a media house and a large Olympic screen.
