Clare Richmond has warned traders they need a "strong online presence". Pic: Tony Gay.

Fears have been raised about the future of Crouch End’s commerical heart after a string of recent shop closures.

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Resident Adrian Essex, 61, of Fairfield Road, said several stores had closed in recent weeks, and called on shopkeepers to remain “innovative” in order to combat the fall in trade.

He told the Journal: “The stores are closing down, there is no doubt about that. In order to combat it, I think Crouch End has got to go on being an innovative place.”

Baby Ceylon in Topsfield Parade, Tottenham Lane, David’s Superstore in Broadway Parade, Elysian Fields hair salon in The Broadway, and Solomon Upholstery in Park Lane have all closed their doors in recent weeks.

Cllr David Winskill put it down to the “evolution” of Crouch End and high rents, explaining: “Stores open up and stay for a lot less time than they used to.

“I think it’s a reflection of short leases and very high rent. We’ve also got the background of an economic recession.”

Clare Richmond, 46, founder of local business initiative the Crouch End Project, warned traders they must have a “strong online presence” to be successful - or risk going under.

She said: “Obviously it is a great shame when a business shuts but it just underlines the fact that these businesses need to work differently to engage with their customers and keep them loyal.”

Massimo Bergamin, owner of Haberdashery coffee shop, in Middle Lane, said that the “turnaround of businesses” in Crouch End seemed to be “quite high”, with a number of stores regularly changing hands.

He pointed to the Haberdashery’s monthly “bar boot” sales, a variation on car boot sales, as an example of the “unique” schemes that stores need to embrace.