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Traders in Finsbury Park warned “Our small shops are dying” at a heated meeting on Monday.

It was called to discuss problems facing businesses in and around Fonthill Road. The area, known for its clothes shops, is frequented by television personality Vanessa Feltz and X Factor finalist Alexandra Burke.

The meeting, at the London Fashion Centre, heard that traders were facing a triple threat – from a drop in footfall resulting from the closure of Finsbury Park Tube station’s Wells Terrace exit, disruption from the nearby City North project, and rising business rates and rents.

One trader said five shops had closed in Wells Terrace in recent months.

Fonthill Road Traders’ Association interim chairman John Arpaci said: “We are special but we are worried it could become like Upper Street here,” he said. “We want to maintain our ethos.”