A bespoke furniture shop with a celebrity following is the latest independent business to close in Primrose Hill.
Primrose Hill Interiors, in Regent’s Park Road, has sold furniture to famous faces including Madonna, Ricky Gervais and Jamie Oliver.
But its owner — a campaigner for independent business in the area — says he was forced to close his doors on Monday because of high rent charges.
Phil Cowan, who has owned the shop for 10 years, said he would not be able to survive a proposed 70 per cent rent rise, due next year.
He said: “It was costing me £250 a day to run the shop before paying myself or other staff. When I received notice that rent could go up by 70 per cent, I thought, ‘That’s enough.’ ” Mr Cowan is behind the “No Chains in Primrose Hill” campaign. He added: “Independent shops simply cannot afford these rates and soon there will be none left.”
His landlord, Michael Citron, said: “Yes, the rents are increasing but if businesses have a good plan they can afford it. I am a businessman and it’s my job to raise more rent.”