Tamara Palmer wants to rejuvenate Wood Green by shaping up its reputation. Picture: Tony Gay

Residents and traders are hoping to breathe new life into Wood Green by cleaning up its “shabby” image.

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Fed up with having to defend their treasured hometown from an unwelcome reputation as “Crouch End’s poorer relative”, they are now spearheading a drive to promote the area as a 
retail hotspot – inspired by TV star Mary Portas’ high street makeovers.

Plans are already underway to set up “pop-up shops” and supper clubs in a bid to rival trendy Camden or Stoke Newington.

The woman behind the project Tamara Palmer, a 35-year-old development manager for a charity, who lives off Turnpike Lane, said: “I’m sick of being embarrassed of where I live.

“Wood Green is seen as being shabby, culturally devoid and a poorer relative to Crouch End and Muswell Hill, but it shouldn’t be like that.”

In talks with the brains behind the community-run People’s Supermarket in Camden –she hopes to set up pop-up shops and portable restaurants as a contrast to the pound shops, takeaways and betting shops on the High Road.

She also cited Karamel restaurant, based in the Chocolate Factory, in Coburg Road, as the type of community-minded business she aims to promote. It hosts regular music gigs, children’s plays and art exhibitions. Owner Rosely Funari said: “Step off the high road on to the side streets and there’s everything you need.”

And the Big Green Bookshop, in Brampton Park Road, is also renowned for attracting big names, like ex-Libertines singer Carl Barat and Spurs legend Ricky Villa.

The post of a town centre manager, employed by Haringey Council to promote the area, was axed two years ago.

Council leader Councillor Claire Kober said: “We welcome any move by local people and businesses to improve the town centre.”