Sadie Frost, Rachel Stevens and Sam Taylor-Johnson are just some of the celebrities who are supporting a petition to stop a major chain opening a shop in Primrose Hill.
Traders want to keep the hair and beauty store, Space NK, out of bohemian Regent’s Park Road.
So far, the petition has gathered more than 300 signatures and celebrities who use the trendy independent boutiques, are supporting the campaign.
Speaking to the Ham&High, actress Sadie Frost, a regular at the independent beauty salon in the high street, said: “Primrose Hill Village is unique and special because of the local, independent shops.
“If one chain arrives, others will follow.”
“We need to protect these businesses and not let it turn into another big chained high street.
“I would hate to see Lost in Beauty go.”
The owner of the salon, Georgina Hamed, said she fears for her business if Space NK opens.
The beautician, whose clients include Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, former S-Club 7 singer Rachel Stevens and the daughter of Sylvia Young, Frances Ruffelle, said: “It’s quite devastating for me.
“I spent five years building up my business and now I’ve got a loyal client base.”
Nowhere Boy film director, Sam Taylor-Johnson, has also spoken out about her fears: “Primrose Hill is full of small businesses that give the area such strong character.”
Ten years ago the Primrose Hill community won a landmark battle to keep global super-chain Starbucks off its high street.
Phil Cowan, who owns Primrose Hill Interiors and started the petition last week, said the arrival of chains in Regent’s Park Road, would turn it into an “identikit high street”.
He added: “The shops here are part of the community.
“People come and meet in them.
“You can’t do that in Carphone Warehouse.”
A spokesperson from Spakce NK said: “Our founder, Nicky Kinnaird, loves Primrose Hill. Nicky firmly believes that in order to maintain a busy, healthy high street that delivers to the local community, it needs to be a place which adapts and changes while retaining its individuality and integrity.”
To sign the petition go to: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/say-no-to-chains-in-primrose-hill/
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