Nick Mavrides is the chairman of the Kentish Town Business Association. He has been running Ace Sports for 20 years but could be forced out after landlords threatened to hike his annual rent from £30,000 to £55,000. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT KENTI

Nick Mavrides is the chairman of the Kentish Town Business Association. He has been running Ace Sports for 20 years but could be forced out after landlords threatened to hike his annual rent from £30,000 to £55,000.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT KENTISH TOWN?

Kentish Town is a very community based area but we're seeing changes. I chair the local Business Association and have a keen eye on what goes on in the area. We want to keep the high street as unique as possible, and avoid it becoming a clone of so many other high streets that you see. We don't want the area to become saturated with chains and we're fighting hard to keep a sense of community in the area.

WHAT'S THE WORST THING ABOUT WORKING IN THE AREA?

The shift from independent businesses to the cloning affect, it's happening as we speak. We've lost 16 businesses since 1999 when the new parking scheme came in. For the authorities it's all about revenue. One local man was charged £2,000 for two parking tickets after he had been clamped, it's disgusting.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL BUILDING?

The old police station on Holmes Road. It's just been refurbished.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL RESTAURANT?

Pane Vino. It's family run and you get super food there. It's a great place - warm, hospitable, friendly. It always gets great reviews, there was a very good one in Time Out recently.

where was your last holiday?

Cyprus. I go to Cornwall a lot as well, which is beautiful. The trouble is you can't guarantee any sunshine there. The West Country is just about the wettest part of the UK.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE MOVING TO THE AREA?

I'd tell them to find an affordable house! Prices have absolutely gone through the roof. It's partly because Kentish Town is an ideal location that prices have changed so much. It's noticeable that we get a very different clientele coming into the shop these days.

WHAT DO YOU DO AT WEEKENDS?

I work Saturdays. On Sunday I like to spend time with my family. I've got two daughters, one of whom is trying to teach me the finer points of how to dress a Barbie doll. Obviously, I'm not too keen.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO GO FOR A DRINK?

The Oxford on Kentish Town Road is where I usually go. It has recently been refurbished - it's looking lovely now. The place has a great Thai menu as well.

WHO WAS THE LAST CELEBRITY YOU SAW?

Warren Mitchell - he's a regular in my shop.