London Barber Fights Council Order to Remove Beloved 15-Year-Old Bench

Michael Vasili, owner of George's Barber Room in Kentish Town, North London, has been instructed by Camden Council to remove a bench outside his shop or pay a £500 permit fee, followed by a £350 annual renewal cost. The bench, a fixture for 15 years, served as a resting spot for waiting customers, staff breaks, and passersby.

Vasili, whose father started the barbershop in 1989, stated that the fees are unaffordable, especially amidst rising bills. "It is part of the community. We let anyone sit on the chair; it is not just for customers," Vasili said. He expressed shock at the council's directive after such a long period without prior discussion.

He argues that the bench does not obstruct the approximately seven-meter-wide pavement and is put away each evening. Vasili believes the council should assess businesses individually rather than applying a blanket rule.

"Old people use it when they are walking to the station for a little break," he noted. "It is disappointing really because it is for the community, and Camden Council always talk about community projects."

Vasili has launched a petition to campaign for the bench's return without additional cost, which has gathered over 140 signatures in two weeks. He plans to negotiate with the council once the petition gains more momentum.

"We are just trying to make the community a nice spot here and they have ruined it," Vasili added, citing local dissatisfaction with the bench's removal.

A Camden Council spokesperson stated that a pavement license is legally required for structures on public highways and that annual costs are aligned with other London boroughs. "We will continue to work to ensure that the same regulations apply fairly and consistently across the borough," the spokesperson said.