Changes are afoot in Stoke Newington as several popular stores and restaurants shut-up-shop and a range of new businesses arrive.
This week, Bless (a store selling crystals, beauty products and homewares) announced it’ll be closing in January after five years on Church Street and Revere the Residence, a store championing the work of young people with learning disabilities, looks set to close after Christmas. They plan to continue running workshops in the area and selling their products online.
Truffle Burger has closed its doors and is being transformed into Cod & Brew – promising traditional fish and chips with a twist. Pachara, a new Asian grocery threw open its doors in September. Run by husband-and-wife Will and Pear, the store offers an amazing array of food and drink (home-made sushi, delicious noodles and bubble tea are all on offer).
After 24 years on Church St, Bacio Express has closed and is preparing to reopen on Newington Green. De Nadas Empanadas opened last month on the site of what used to be Hollywood Candy.
Heidi Early, Chair of Stoke Newington Business Association, said: “It’s sad to see so many treasured businesses leave - these small businesses are such a part of the fabric of community life. Some will be continuing online or in other areas and we wish them all well. We’re excited to welcome some beautiful new businesses - Stoke Newington’s shopping streets are full of character and that’s due in large part to the independent businesses which call this home. I hope locals will help protect that character by making a conscious effort to support them!
"When you buy local, for every £1 you spend, an estimated 63p stays in the local economy - shopping local helps to keep our community thriving."
In addition to the indie businesses arriving, Gails Bakery, which has more than 100 branches across the UK, is rumoured to be opening in Stoke Newington (on the site of the former Rasa Street Food).
Though it feels like a lot of change in a short time, local historian Amir Dotan has been tracking the history of businesses on Church St and says the turnover rate for shops is lower than usual. Writing on his Stoke Newington History Facebook page, he said: “The turnover rate in the last seven years is 39%, i.e. the percentage of shops that have changed. The historic median is 53% over an average period of 9 years since 1890.
"The occupancy rate on Stoke Newington Church Street is consistently 95%. It's very rare for a site to be empty for long.
"On the High Street there are around 149 commercial units between the police station and the cemetery. I walked along there recently and, for every 25 units, just one was vacant."
The Stoke Newington Business Association will once again be hosting a festive event this year on Sat 30th November. Visit www.seeyouinstokey.com for details.
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