The changing face of Stoke Newington’s high streets
2026 has seen the closure of several popular businesses in Stoke Newington and the arrival of some lovely new ones.
Kitchen Provisions recently closed its doors after eight years here, Dog Snug has just closed after nine years of trading and it’s the end of an era for jewellery store Metal Crumble, who are shutting shop at the end of November after 30 years here.
Other businesses bidding N16 farewell include Sonora Taquería, which seemed to do a roaring trade on the High Street and, at the end of last year, Ryan’s Bar closed after 32 years. Cod & Brew (the fish and chip restaurant) had a much shorter lifespan here, having closed just 15 months after their opening.
But there’s plenty of new life being breathed into the street. The Mary Wollstonecraft Pub was opened in July by Nick Bailey (best known for the Robin and Ale in Stroud Green) in the former Ryans Bar, serving beers by independent breweries and offering a stunning garden. Stokey Cupcakes opened in what used to be Dot Dot bubble tea shop in September and it’s already proving a hit, particularly with local school children. Further down Church St Pelican Music opened in May, replacing what used to be the accessories shop Another Studio and One Scoop Store recently opened their second vintage clothing shop in the neighbourhood. After a couple of years standing empty, 134 Stoke Newington Church St has just been transformed into Caos Cocktail Bar.
Lei Yang, Chair of Stoke Newington Business Association, said: “It has felt like a lot of change here in a short time, but this turnover is pretty normal and, while we’re really sad to say goodbye to some treasured local businesses, we’re excited to welcome some fabulous new businesses to the area.
“Many of the stores closing tell us rising rents and falling footfall made it difficult for them to survive. Running an independent business is tough – if we’re to preserve the character and community of our high streets, we need action to control rent hikes and we need the public to make a concerted effort to shop local.”
Local historian Amir Dotan has been tracking business turnover rates in the area dating back to 1890. Each year between four and six per cent of businesses change and over half the businesses on Church Street change every 10 years or so and that has pretty much been the case for the past 140 years.
He said: “I think another and important indicator of the street’s health is occupancy rate and how long units stay closed.
“At present, nine out of 10 of the shops on Church St are occupied, which is a stat I think many shopping streets up and down the country would love to have.
“Also, the good news is that the sites that have been vacant the longest are on the path to reopen: the former garden centre, former Chinese restaurant and former garage.
“Typically shops reopen within six to 12 months.”
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