Camden Council has been criticised after it loaned KFC a library to film an advert despite the borough’s healthy eating initiatives.
The fast food giant was given permission to turn Queen’s Crescent Library in Kentish Town into a mock restaurant for an advert.
Books in the window of the library, popular with children, were replaced by the chain’s slogan, “It’s finger licking good”, although the library service was still available. Posters of buckets and chicken and chips were also put up.
Film crews covered wavy line street art on the road and set up an artificial rain machine.
Fran Bernhardt, of the food charity Sustain, said it was a “flagrant disregard of local children's needs” and “an outrageous example where profits have been prioritised over people.”
She told The Times newspaper: “Councils must champion residents' health by stopping companies like KFC from flooding our high streets with unhealthy foods."
Na @kfc got me gassed only filming #Camden #Kentishtown #KFC pic.twitter.com/RvVsuMCDOQ
— Aron Kennedy (@AkstyleLondon) March 12, 2024
However, a KFC spokesperson said care was taken to minimise the impact on the community and that it does not advertise its fast food to children.
“At KFC, we take our role on high streets extremely seriously and for our latest ad, we worked hand in hand with the team at Camden Council to minimise the impact on the local community.
"The library remained open to the public for the three days that the temporary set was in place on the exterior of the building, and the Council helpfully arranged for letters to be shared with all local residents in advance to avoid any confusion. Everything was returned to the way it was as soon as we’d finished.
"We filmed mostly at night, local businesses were compensated for the impact on them and we employed local residents as wardens across the shoot period.
“We have strict policies in place and do not and will not ever market to under 18s."
According to public health data, some 21.8 per cent of children in Year 6 in Camden are classified as obese.
A spokesperson for Camden Council said: "The Council allows some filming in public buildings and spaces for a fee and this money is invested back into services and our community here in Camden.
“During this filming, library services continued to run and staff were available to help children and their families access their books and resources within the library.”
