A spa company with branches worldwide is looking to take over the premises of an independent shopkeeper who waged a campaign against chain stores coming to Primrose Hill – after he was forced out by rising rents.

Phil Cowan, 46, who ran a campaign called No Chains in Primrose Hill last year, closed Primrose Hill Interiors in Regent’s Park Road last month because he could no longer afford the rent.

An employee of landlord Michael Citron has confirmed Cowshed, a spa selling a holistic range of bath and skincare products in its eight day spas globally, as well as in its many concessionary stores, are in talks about moving into the shop.

Mr Cowan, who is running a gallery in the premises until a new tenant is found, said: “It’s between [Mr Citron] and Cowshed now. I want nothing to do with it.” He added: “If it does move into the shop, I won’t be able to go up that end of the road for a while.”