A successful businesswoman has seen Croydon become the centre of her food empire after high rents killed off her flagship London restaurant.

Neelofar Khan launched the Chai Corner exotic tea shop last month in Allders, North End, adding to the Chilli Chutney takeaway she opened in the store in 2007.

But the two now form the backbone of her business after she was forced to close the Chilli Chutney restaurant in Streatham two weeks ago, citing a 35 per cent rent increase in the past two years.

The shift of Mrs Khan's trade down the A23 to Croydon could signal the start of a larger migration, after she warned other businesses along Streatham High Road were under threat from rising rents.

She said: “Instead of supporting businesses at a difficult time, landlords are just asking for more rent.

“I know there are other businesses in trouble, and I won’t be surprised to see more close.”