An award winning chip shop has been told by the council that it must remove a Union flag mural.
Golden Chippy, in Greenwich, south-east London was told it had to remove the painting, which features the flag held by a humanoid fish and a slogan saying "A Great British Meal".
The shop's owner, Chris Kanizi and his staff were left puzzled by the decision from Greenwich Council, who said they made the order after "a number of complaints [were] made to local ward councillors."
Kanizi said the shop has had a strong footfall of visitors, including many overseas tourists, since the shop was deemed London’s top-rated restaurant on review website TripAdvisor in 2016.
Nearby residents have been reacting to the mural GB NewsHowever, nearby residents have spoken out in favour of the mural, with one even telling GB News that it reminded them of a Banksy painting.
One resident said: "It doesn't offend me at all. It's a fish and chip shop isn't it? I've got nothing against it. It's just a part of the advertising."
Another said: "I think it's quite good and quite beautiful. It shows the flag of Great Britain and I think that's good. I don't think they should take it down."
One other passer-by added: "I think its fantastic artwork. I really like it, it reminds me of Banksy. If it was a Banksy there, then they wouldn't complain. So why can't other artists who do fantastic artwork like that also have the opportunity to lighten up the streets joyfully."
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Greenwich council have told Kanizi to take down the mural
GB News
It is not the first time Kanizi, who arrived in the UK in 1977 from northern Cyprus, has fallen foul of Greenwich council with his zeal for celebrating fish and chips.
In 2016, the town hall ordered him to remove a much larger sign, about 17 feet high, featuring a very similar design, from above the door.
He told The Telegraph: "It’s just something to put a smile on people’s faces. But the council said 'this is a preservation area – you can’t have that and you’ve got to paint over it.' They also said people had been complaining, but I don’t believe that. Everyone who has talked to me say they love it.
"I’m going to stick it out for as long as I can...they haven’t given me a date to paint over it yet, but they will. I’ve got so many international customers. They all like taking a photo with the mural in the background."
The Golden Chippy in Greenwich
GB News
A Greenwich council spokesman said: "Following a number of complaints made to local ward councillors, an enforcement case was raised about the mural in question.
"Our Planning Enforcement team is investigating this as it is effectively an unauthorised advert for the chip shop. The owner has agreed to paint over it.
"We will always try to negotiate with the owner before proceeding to a formal planning enforcement notice."
