Knightsbridge residents are demanding planning permission for a Harrods cafe is ditched because it has turned their community into a 'living hell.'
More than 100 people have signed a petition complaining about the Harrods Laduree cafe at the Walton Place junction with Hans Road, Knightsbridge.
Helen Forbes-Watt, 52, of Pont Street Mews, and Farih Tabbah, of Walton Place, say traffic chaos has overtaken the area since the cafe opened this summer.
Mr Tabbah said added: "The cafe has taken part of the road and has created gridlock."
Mrs Forbes-Watt added: "This might be the beginning of the end. I've lived in Knightsbridge all my life and seen huge changes over the years. The cafe has changed the area beyond recognition. Drivers just sit there, engines revving."
In a letter to a councillor Shireen Ritchie Mr Tabbah wrote: 'The temporary permission for the cafe, which exists now, has turned the life of many of the people you represent into hell.'
A Harrods spokesman said: "Clearly Harrods went through the proper channels in securing the relevant planning permission after a lengthy consultation process. The success of the cafe shows that there was a clear need for alfresco dining in the Knightsbridge area."
He added that Harrods representatives would be pleased to talk to the council about any specific concerns relating to the cafe.
A 'Save Knightsbridge' meeting will be held in Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street, Kensington, next Thursday, September 25, at 9am. Any concerned residents are welcome to attend.
SHOULD THE CAFE LOSE ITS LICENCE? COMMENT IN THE BOX BELOW
