Camden Passage shop owners Chris Parakeva, Chrissie Harper, Annie Moss and Palma Tortorella at the party

CHAMPAGNE and tears marked the last day of a vintage shop in Angel’s famous antique quarter as the owner hosted customers for the last time following a more than doubling of the rent.

Chrissie Harper and her husband Delisle
Chrissie Harper, owner of Cloud Cuckoo Land, saw out her final day as a store owner with a small party after 35 years in Camden Passage. Her landlord put the rent up from £16,200 to £37,680 – an increase of 133 per cent.

“I’m very sad to leave, I’m going to miss it. It’s my life. I wanted to be here for another few years,” said Ms Harper.

“Everyone has been showing me support and people have come I have never seen before. Some have been shopping for two hours. It’s been fabulous.”

She added: “Camden Passage has changed so much already.” Ms Harper said she would be selling her clothes in vintage fairs across London to make ends meet and would be spending more time with her family.

Shop fans Melissa-Kelly Franklin and Neil Saunders 

Customer Mary Peevers,who has been visiting the store for more than a decade, said the area was losing its originality with the increase in chain stores and eateries.

“People come here to look at vintage stores and quality shops. We don’t need any more food stores here. Who knows who could be next?” she said.

Customers Romy Romweber and Ashton Adam 

Customer Melissa- Kelly Franklin, who is originally from Australia but has lived in Angel for five years, said she was “heartbroken” to hear of the closure.
“I’m very, very sad,” she said. “It’s a real loss of character.”