KILBURN high street is on the up traders claim as two new businesses opened up within days of each other.

The Betsy Smith, a fantasy themed bar which serves cocktails in teacups and has Narnia inspired seating, held a jam packed launch party at the opening of its new venue in the high street on Friday night.

Hot on its heels, and just a few yards away, the clothes chains Peacocks unveiled its new flagship store.

Traders have welcomed the new openings, which they say will help boost the local economy.

Anis Kapadia: secretary of the traders group Kilburn Business Friends, said: “This is great news for the high road. We have had some sad closures over the past year, notably the Kilburn book shop, but now it looks like Kilburn is on the up.

“The sites that the two businesses have moved into have been vacant for a while so that they will once again have flourishing businesses will improve the look and feel of the high street.

“And both Peacocks, as a major clothes shop, and the Betsy Smith should attract people from beyond Kilburn, boosting the local economy.”

Gail Cameron, operations manager at the Betsy Smith, said it was Kilburn’s reputation as a rising star on the music scene made it the ideal location.

She said: “We hope to fit in nicely with the music scene at other venues in the high road.

“Kilburn is great because it is not saturated with bars like other parts or London, but there is a growing sense that this is a cool place to be.

“We want local people to come in and enjoy themselves, but we hope to attract people from outside the area too, and help promote Kilburn across London.”

The new Peacocks store will create 20 new jobs.

Store Manager, Ngozi Onochie said: “We are delighted to be opening our new store in Kilburn.”

Cllr Mary Arnold, Kilburn ward, said: “Things are happening on the Kilburn High Road. Peacocks is looking smart and will attract in more modern quality retail stores, leading to further investment.”