A London barber has been told to remove a bench that has stood outside his shop for 15 years unless he pays £500 for a permit.
Michael Vasili, 42, runs George’s Barber Room in Kentish Town, north London, a business founded by his father, George Vasili, in 1989.
The seat was used by customers waiting for haircuts, employees taking breaks and members of the public looking for somewhere to rest.
However, a Camden Council officer visited the shop two weeks ago and said the business would need to pay £500 for permission to keep the bench. The permit would then cost £350 to renew each year.
Mr Vasili says the shop cannot afford the additional expense and has therefore had to take the bench away.
He is now urging the council to allow the community seat to be put back without charging the business.
“I was pretty shocked. It is part of the community,” he said. “We let anyone sit on the bench; it is not just for customers.”
“We are a community barbershop and everyone knows us. For them to do that, it’s like, is this the thank-you we get?”
Michael Vasili, 42, has been told to remove the bench outside his London barbershop or pay a £500 permit, followed by a £350 annual renewal fee
The bench gave waiting customers, barbers and passersby a place to sit and take a break
“It is expensive and things are hard at the minute with bills going up. Now they are trying to make money off the sun,” Mr Vasili said.
“I think it is very unfair. It is going to have a big impact on me. I am going to try my hardest to get the bench back.”
Mr Vasili says the bench served people across the neighbourhood and that he has received widespread support since it was removed.
He argues that the pavement is approximately seven metres wide, meaning the seat did not obstruct pedestrians.
The bench was salvaged from a pub that was closing down. It was stored inside every evening when the barbershop shut, meaning it was only available while staff were working.
He believes Camden Council should consider each case individually rather than applying the same rules to every business, taking into account the bench’s purpose and its effect on the pavement.
“Old people use it when they are walking to the station for a little break,” he said. “For someone to come and tell us after 15 years, without even discussing it first, was a big shock.”
“In the summer it was very hot, so we would sit outside to get a bit of fresh air. Now we have got nowhere to sit.”
“It is a bit disappointing really because it is for the community, and Camden Council always talks about community projects.”
“They are putting us in the same category as pubs, restaurants and cafes, but we are not. We are just a local barbershop.”
Mr Vasili has now set up a petition, which has received more than 140 signatures in two weeks
‘We are just trying to make the community a nice spot here and they have ruined it,’ Mr Vasili added
Mr Vasili has now set up a petition, which has received more than 140 signatures in two weeks.
Once he has sorted some paperwork and the petition has more traction, he is going to try and negotiate with the council for his bench’s return.
He added: ‘We are just trying to make the community a nice spot here and they have ruined it.
‘The locals are pretty unhappy as well with the removal of the bench. People have been going crazy. One of my customers said they will sit outside and chain themselves to it.
‘It is disgusting really that we are not allowed to sit outside our shop. We pay enough, and we do enough for this high street. Instead of them helping us, they are taking more money off us.
‘I know it is only a bench, but it does make a big difference. I believe we can get it back, but I am not paying for it.’
A Camden Council spokesperson said: ‘We appreciate this bench is well-loved by the local community and hope it continues to be.
‘As it sits on the public highway, a pavement licence is required by law, with annual costs in Camden in line with other London boroughs.
‘We will continue to work to ensure that the same regulations apply fairly and consistently across the borough.’
