IT was once one of London’s most famous pet shops, with a vast array of exotic creatures and able to count Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin among its customers. 

But visitors to Palmers in Parkway, Camden Town, may soon be swapping pet food for pints as the shop’s owners prepare for an “early retirement” and a bar operator asks the council whether the shop could get an alcohol licence.

The shop is almost opposite its original base, now the Yum Chaa tea shop, which still bears its famous frontage and historic lettering advertising “talking parrots”.

Palmers moved over the road to operate from smaller premises 10 years ago when it stopped selling animals.

The store’s owners, ­Alison Miller, 47, and her sister Susan Pank say they will be renting out the space, and the licensing application for a potential bar is just one offer on the table. Ms Miller said of the pet shop: “You can’t go on forever.” 

The original Palmers was opened in 1918 by George Palmer. Churchill once picked up a ginger kitten, Orlando, who would prowl Downing Street, while Chaplin ordered a pair of Abyssinian kittens. Ms Miller’s aunt, Pamela Dearman, who died in 2008, ran the original store for more than 50 years and both sisters had their first Saturday jobs there as youngsters. 

“My mum was pregnant with me when she used to work there, too,” Ms Miller said. In the past, the shop even sold monkeys, but after relocating it concentrated on pet food, supplies and toys. 

Ms Miller believes that a combination of online shopping, competition from large chain stores such as Pets at Home and changing consumer tastes have led to poor trade. 

She said: “Kids just aren’t as interested in pets as they used to be. It is all about computer games now.” 

An animal lover, who  has two cats called Max and Scampi, she said part of the decision to stop selling animals 10 years ago was because there are already “too many” out there, adding: “Cats and dogs are best bought from breeders or adopted from animal shelters, there are so many that need a home.” 

The licensing application filed at the Town Hall asks for a garden drinking space and for live music until 11.30pm on weekdays, and midnight on Friday and Saturday, with sound insulation included in the plan.