A ‘safe haven’ shop for cross-dressers has been driven out of Waltham Forest after 55-years because of changes to Lea Bridge Road which make it "impossible" to continue, according to its owner.

Doreen’s Fashions was one of the first shops to stock clothes for cross-dressers.

At a time when people were not granted the anonymity now afforded by shopping online, Betty Freedman and her staff welcomed them with open arms.

Although when the first branch opened in 1953, it was intended for female customers.

The shop in Leyton has stocked plus size dresses for women, alongside fake breasts and giant stilettos.

At the shop's peak in the 1970s and 80s, there were five branches in Trafalgar Square, City Road and Baker Street which catered for big names on the cross-dressing scene including Grayson Perry and trans scene queen Vicky Lee.

Now, because of the increase of costs and decrease of parking - and the impending introduction of a 'mini-Holland' cycling scheme - Alan Freedman, 60, has decided to close.

He said: “The changes to Lea Bridge Road have murdered the business.

“There are more double yellow lines than ever.

“The restrictions, parking situation and narrowing of Lea Bridge Road are just killing businesses like mine.

“People can use the 15 minutes spaces, if they can find one, and that’s ok for the shops they just need to pop in.

“Our customers want a good half an hour or more and it’s just impossible to get near here.

“The changes to the road have just made it too awkward, especially for the people who live there.

“Mini Holland was the last straw for me when I found out about those plans. It’s obvious people won’t be listened to and cars will be put off coming here altogether.”

Mrs Freedman died five years ago, leaving the business to her son.

Mr Freedman said: “I am just glad my mum isn’t here to see it. She would have been so upset.

“We will continue online and look for somewhere else, maybe an industrial unit somewhere.

“I hope a new fast food chicken shop, pound shop, or charity shop make good use of these premises.”

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