A group of Tottenham shopkeepers have accused Haringey Borough Council of trying to gentrify the area with their plan for regeneration.

Traders working across the street from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium say the council’s proposals will mean only middle class people will be able to afford to live in the area.

Patricia Pearcy, who runs a pharmacy in the High Road and represents the group, said the scheme is not regeneration because Tottenham will not be Tottenham any more.

She said: “The council is trying to sweep away the current community in Tottenham and replace it with people who work in the City.

“They are getting rid of the small independent businesses to replace them with big high street brands.

“And there is going to be lots of private housing which will be too expensive for most of the people in Tottenham to afford.

"So they should not call this regeneration, that isn't what it is. This is gentrification."

Ms Pearcy who has owned her business for more than 20 years also said the authority had failed to consult the community properly and made its decision irrespective what they wanted.

She added: “A lot of the people in Tottenham are first generation immigrants who don’t understand what the council is doing.

“Once the work the regeneration is complete the people who live here right now will not be able to afford to live here.

“Tottenham won’t be the place we know so the council is building the nice new buildings for the middle class people who will move here later."

Alex Tryfonos, the owner of Chick King, in High Road, said the authority has put the needs of Tottenham Hotspur FC before those of the people in Tottenham.

He said: “The council is trying to make the area nice for Spurs because they threatened to leave the area if they didn’t get their way.

“We are all happy to work with the council to find a solution but right now the authority is completely out of touch with the community.

“We just want someone to listen and to work with us in a nice, mature way.”

A council spokesman said the authority is committed to delivering the change residents want to see.

He said: “Haringey council is committed to the regeneration of Tottenham to bring the change residents have told us they want to see.

"This means new and better homes, more jobs for our ambitious young people and a better mix of high street shops and independent businesses on the High Road.

“We know that times are tough for local traders, which is why we want to attract more thriving businesses to Tottenham to boost visitors and encourage more shoppers to support the high street.

“Local residents and traders are at the centre of the plans, which is why we have set up three regeneration forums in Tottenham Green, Bruce Grove and West Green Road and held regular consultation events to listen to the community’s views." 

The spokesman added that the council is looking forward to hearing residents’ views on the more detailed plans later this year.