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East Finchley 'ghost town'
New street trading charges are being fought by businesses in East Finchley.
Local vendors say the new fees to trade would create a "ghost town" and ruin the area's "special atmosphere".
Nearly 60 traders have signed a petition rejecting the fees imposed by Barnet Council levied on anyone trading in a public space.
The group said that one of the key factors of the village feel is that many of the shops display their goods on the street: fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables, people enjoying coffee or a glass of wine.
The revised rules, brought into effect in East Finchley on May 12 and due to be enforced borough-wide by June 23, mean that anyone who wants to use the public highway to trade must apply for a licence from the council.
The licences, which range from £200 to £1,800 per year, apply to street stalls and furniture and are granted on a case-by-case basis, depending on factors such as pavement width and density of shoppers in the area.
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