The founder of a coffee shop shared the love this morning to promote independent businesses and celebrate five years in Enfield.

Karen Mercer, owner of My Coffee Shop in Enfield Chase Station in Windmill Hill, put on a ‘cash mob’ to help boost trade for local businesses.

The cash mob - the latest in a series of similar events - saw a dozen locals join Karen at The Chocolate Shop in Cockfosters Road, Enfield, to spend their money at a local traders instead of a supermarket chain.

With Valentine ’s Day in the offing, Ms Mercer wanted to ‘spread the love’ and help give local shops a voice.

She said: “This is a beautiful independent business that has been here for many years. My aim with the cash mobs is to promote the fantastic independent businesses that we have across the borough.

“Local independent shops are unique and with Valentine’s Day so close, we are spreading the love by giving a morale boost to traders and you will be getting something special when you go to a local business.”

Jackie Lindley, manager at the chocolate shop, said that the business has been here for 30 years and hopes that independent shops can continue to survive.

She said: “With rental prices going up, it has been tough for local shops. We have struggled but it is really great to see people continuing to support our shop and we hope this can continue.

“There have been a lot of supermarket chains move into the Cockfosters area. We hope this won’t badly affect our business but there are concerns.”

Liz Sorton, who accompanied the cash mob into The Chocolate Shop, said: “This is the first one I have been on and it is great to see people keeping that community spirit.

"You always get something different at an independent shop and the service is always very personal. I hope that independent business can raise their profile using social media and help preserve the community.”