Owner of chip shop once ranked London's best fights to keep 'patriotic' 17ft sign

Time and plaice: Huseyin Kanizi and his business in Greenwich High Street
Nigel Howard
Isobel Frodsham27 March 2018

The owner of a chip shop once ranked the best restaurant in London is fighting to keep a “patriotic” 17ft high sign outside his business.

Golden Chippy owner Huseyin Kanizi, also known as Chris, hung it above the front door in Greenwich High Road more than two years ago.

But council officials ordered him to take it down, claiming the “excessive size” was not in keeping with the surrounding 19th-century conservation area, according to their report.

Mr Kanizi points out that the sign, which features the Union Flag, is similar to an advert that hung in the same place when the premises was a cafe in 1940. He is planning to appeal after receiving the support of more than 3,300 residents through petitions.

Signed up: the same building in 1940

Two years ago the Golden Chippy was ranked number one on TripAdvisor out of all restaurants in London. It is still in the top 20, at number 14.

Mr Kanizi, who has run it for 14 years, said he felt betrayed “because I have respect for history, this country and conservation. We now have seven hotels with large lit signs all around Golden Chippy and within 500 metres. It’s no longer a back street, it’s a main action place.”

He installed the sign in September 2016. Seven months later, he received a visit from Greenwich council, which said it required an advertising licence.

He lodged an application to install a board with lighting but it was rejected. He reapplied but was refused this month.

“They mentioned it being brash and had an issue with the white, but the colour is very similar to the old sign,” he said. “My supporters don’t understand the issue, they’ve fallen in love with it. I thought I put up a not-so-loud, patriotic sign. I’m going to appeal.”

Mick Delap of Ashburnham Triangle Association, which backs the Golden Chippy, said the council’s definition of heritage was “narrow and out of touch”.

He added: “Chris has contributed greatly to the locality and put a lot of work into building up the area. I understand the sign is not to everyone’s taste, but fish and chip shops are a part of British culture.”

The Greenwich Society, which objected to the application, said: “It is too large, too gaudily coloured and too brightly lit, as well as being inappropriate in the conservation area.” Greenwich council declined to comment.

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