Dominic Bennet, of antique furniture restorer Bennet & Brown whose clients have included Westminster Cathedral, has collected more than 500 signatures for his petition to stop the planned redevelopment and has lodged a formal complaint with his local planning department.
Brownlow Developments, the landlord of his shop at 84 Mountgrove Road near Finsbury Park in north London, plans to turn the building into a one-bedroom home at the rear and a smaller shop at the front.
Bennet said: “I don’t want to move as it will mean hassle and cost and I have an established client base here. I have my shop at the front and my workshop at the back and the new shop they plan isn’t big enough for me.”
Bennet has been in the premises for nearly 10 years and as well as Westminster Cathedral his clients have included the Spanish embassy and Dr Johnson’s House museum.
Lease Expired
He originally signed a five-year lease which has since been extended. However it has now expired.
John Martin, partner at Cluttons who is acting on behalf of the landlord, said they contacted Bennet in July to offer the company the opportunity to stay in the property on a short-term lease but “received no response”.
Martin said: “The proposed works are of benefit to the local area as they will significantly improve the property and the appearance of the parade on Mountgrove Road. The proposed redevelopment will create a newly refurbished shop unit and provide an additional residential unit, which is much needed in the locality.”
The application will go to a planning committee next month.
