What do you do when you’ve had enough of the cut throat world of television production? Open a gift shop, of course writes Peter Gruner

ONCE a high-powered television producer, she now runs a gift shop which promotes artists and crafts people, close to Highbury Corner.
But Rosie Brown – the former head of production in Light Entertainment at Carlton TV – has never been happier and has no regrets.
She decided to make the ultimate career change to “preserve my sanity” after being offered yet another “inane and crass” reality television show.
Rosie, who lives off Brecknock Road, in Camden, and was involved in the original Jerry Springer series and Des and Mel Show said: “I decided I couldn’t do reality TV anymore. I didn’t want to do another Naked Wrestling or whatever it was they were proposing.”
So Rosie decided she’d give up the cut-throat world of the TV executive and concentrate on what she likes doing most of all; shopping and travelling.
She said: “I thought, I like searching for that really special handmade gift. So why not combine the two?”
Which is what she did with Rosie Brown’s accessories and interiors.
And with its brightly lit and colourful façade, she has managed to brightened up a rather run down and dull shopping parade in St Paul’s Road opposite the Alwyne pub.
She opened the shop just before Christmas and it is has become the place to go to buy a hand made or special gift for a loved-one.
She added: “I’m an avid shopper and I know what I am looking for – this is an indulgence for me – it’s accessories, interiors and gifts with that little something that make them original.
“The shop’s quite eclectic and I’ll travel anywhere to buy the special items. I go to trade fairs and I also take stuff by local artists and crafts people on sale or return.”
Among the local artists featured at the shop with items for sale include a photographer who sells framed photos of urban scenes, a woman who makes silk vests, and an artist who sells abstract paintings.
The leather bags, for example, the most expensive thing in the shop, sell for up to £195. “They are really gorgeous and special, very strong and solid and will last a lifetime,” she says.
She also sells unusual and colourful clothes with prices from £5 to £50 and ornaments and jewellery from all over the world, including Kenya, China and Japan.
From Kenya there are lacquered bamboo pots 18 inches tall, imported silk bedspreads and delicate china from China, tin wear and lanterns from Vietnam, vintage silk saris, puppets and glass chandeliers from India and glassware and plates from Transylvania.
“People love the shop whether they buy anything or not,” she added.

• Rosie Brown, accessories and interiors, 238 St Paul’s Road, N1. Phone: 020 7359 1614.