Eye-popping and under pressure: a unique London fashion street’s struggle

Fonthill Road has almost 100 clothes shop and a huge ethnic mix but rent rises and restaurant chain expansion mean change is on the way

There is oodles of lace, glinting diamante and enough sequins for several series of Strictly Come Dancing: no, it’s not the Met Gala but an unassuming street in north London where a quiet battle is under way to protect a hidden fashion treasure.

Almost 100 fashion stores, with names such as Bien Avenue, Cinderella and the sadly now defunct FFUK (short for Fashion Fashion UK) are crammed into about 250m of Fonthill Road, tucked behind Finsbury Park station.

Amir Sediqi, from Afganistan, at Huda Boutique