Swain’s Lane shopkeepers given date to leave parade due for redevelopment

Independent traders in a crumbling shopping parade due for redevelopment have been served a notice to move out – after more than a decade of fighting plans to demolish their shops.

Shopkeepers housed in the parade in Swain’s Lane, Highgate, will have to quit their stores by June 23.

The Earl of Listowel, who owns the parade, has secured planning permission to demolish the existing shops and replace them with a red-brick three-storey development of flats and retail units.

He has been trying for more than a decade to push the plans through.

Greengrocer Mickey Shamlian, 64, who has worked in Swain’s Lane for 23 years, had hoped he would reach his 65th birthday in August before closing down.

Mr Shamlian, who will run his business online, said: “I’ve seen children grow up and become adults here, so it won’t be easy.”

It was revealed this week that there had been tentative proposals to house the traders in a “mini-market” outside St Anne’s Church in Highgate West Hill. However, these have now been scrapped.

The Rev Andrew Meldrum said: “It would have been a lovely thing, and would have kept the shopkeepers close.”