Sadie Frost has launched her boutique in Islington for the third time in three years.

The actress has downsized her exclusive clothes shop FrostFrench in Camden Passage by two thirds in her third attempt at running the fashion outlet in Angel.

Ms Frost and her business partner Jemima French opened their fashion label’s first store in 2007 with a celebrity launch attracting Kate Moss and Courtney Love, but the store has had a troubled history and has been blamed by some neighbouring traders for rises in business rates.

A year after the store’s inauspicious launch, FrostFrench went into administration after racking up heavy debts. The company was forced to close its King’s Road store, but Ms Frost saved the store in Camden Passage by setting up a new firm.

In February the store closed again and last week reopened usingonly one of the three shop units it originally occupied. The neighbouring shops are now available to let.

Celebs

Friends Ms Frost and Ms French started their women’s wear designer label in 1999 with the aim of designing “sophisticated, fun, flirty, wearable, clothing for the modern woman”. Helena Christensen, Pixie Geldof, Lily Cole and Amy Winehouse are among the brand’s fans.

Financial problems have not been the store’s only woes. It has been criticised by neighbouring businesses and was ram-raided shortly after first opening. Two thieves on mopeds smashed into the shop before making off with £10,000 worth of clothes.

Rent and rates rises

The arrival of the shop has been blamed by some businesses for leading to rises in rent on Camden Passage, which in turn has led to an increase in business rates.

Ronke Lawal, chief executive of Islington Chamber of Commerce, said: “When she [Sadie Frost] moved in her publicity led to an increase in the rent and value of the passage,” adding: “unfortunately the antique shops have been shutting down one by one.”

One trader, who did not want to be named, said: “She is obviously struggling like the rest of us. The store coming put the business rates up, but it was not the only factor. Restaurants moving into the passage have also caused the rise.”
Another said: “If people want to spend £500 on a pair of shoes and £1000 on a handbag, that’s up to them.”

A spokeswoman for FrostFrench said: “The boutique has been trading successfully for a number of years through Camden Passage and has resized due to investment opportunities in Soho, where we have just opened a store, and West London, where we are about to open up a pop up shop.”

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