Riza Kandemir, Chad Kandemir and Arif Kandemir at Silverberry in South End Green

More businesses in South End Green are in fear of being squeezed out from the arrival of coffee chain Pret.

The New Journal revealed last month how the high street giant is set to move into the old Monica clothes shop, opposite the road from Hampstead Heath Station. It shut down in March last year after a hike in rents.

Arif Kandemir, one of the owners of the nearby family-run Silverberry café, said: “We can’t compete with the big companies. We are very frustrated. The industry is very volatile as it is.”

He added: “Costs are really high as it is. With the rate of inflation, everything is getting tougher. Sooner or later we are not going to have small businesses.” Mr Kandemir said he made contact with Network Rail, before it sold the property to landlords The Arch Company, when it became apparent that Monica was closing down, but it was impossible to strike a deal.

Mr Kandemir, who had the idea of running a small Australian juice bar in the unit said: “We had checked the commercial estate agents’ property listings, and we did not see it go on the market.” Silverberry opened in South End Green nearly five years ago. Mr Kandemir’s brother and nephew help run the shop.

Chad Kandemir said: “The government should do more to help small businesses. It is their job to protect us.” A spokeswoman from The Arch Company said that work needed doing to the property at South End Green and the likely costs would prove a disadvantage to small businesses. She said: “Our properties provide value for money spaces and we work to attract a mix of tenants, including local and new businesses, who can help drive footfall and support the diversity of the local economy.”

Pret did not comment when contacted by the New Journal.