Forum Topic

Not local but...Gaby's Deli is being closed down

This is the one by Leicester Square station on Charing Cross Road.We use it all the time pre and post theatre for its great salt beef and felafel.It's a really unusual place in London - good value and good-humouredNow the landlords want to close it down to make way for a Strada or Cote or another faceless chain.I'm so upset!I may have set up a facebook page (Save Gaby's Deli) but am pretty inept so may not have.Any ideas for any way of stopping it?

Sara Nathan ● 5481d19 Comments

Nooooooo!  A West End institution, good cheap eats (salt beef, falafel, mixed salad etc).  I don't think there is much we can do, if Landlords hike their rents so much that only the mega-chains can afford them.  Very sad.  It means London losing its character.  It's like when the Piccadilly Café closed.What do they do in other countries?  Is there legislation to protect individual businesses?  When I go to France or Switzerland I am always struck by the relative lack of chain stores and chain restaurants.

Olga Sidoryk ● 5481d

It's not even a rent hike but planning permission to oust them and radically alter the site,

Sara Nathan ● 5481d

Yes I just read it in the Evening Standard:http://bit.ly/oOVH3MWhy do other cities manage to preserve character but in London we're at the mercy of cultureless philistines who seem to want blandness and homogeneity?  Why does St Martin's Court need to have its "look and feel improved". Does yet another Strada or Côte improve it?  It makes me sad and angry at the same time.

Olga Sidoryk ● 5481d

Have been tweeting like mad about this (hashtag: #savegabysdeli, if you indulge) but only have about 3 1/2 followers so maybe someone more popular could retweet!

Olga Sidoryk ● 5481d

OKand have created facebook page and linkedin group.However unlikely to have created either conditions for a riot or middle east spring. ho hum.

Sara Nathan ● 5480d

One Tweeter suggests emailing West End Extra to add one's voice to the protests:letters@westendextra.co.uk

Olga Sidoryk ● 5480d

What a loss it will be. Great cheap food in central London with pleasant service.

Jill Williams ● 5480d

DunnitThe facebook page has nearly 50 members already just this evening - and I only know about four of them!All ideas welcome

Sara Nathan ● 5480d

Invite them to open in Acton

Bob Crossley ● 5480d

You think they shouLd move into the Albion? It's about three times the siza

Sara Nathan ● 5480d

Can not find it on Facebook to join ..How strange

Philippe Bruyer ● 5479d

look forsave gabys deli on fb - about 130 members now - and i only know about half a dozen!or tweet savegabysdeli

Sara Nathan ● 5478d

If you are keen to try and get the decision reversed - apparently it went against both the Westminster planning guidance AND the advice of the planning officers - you can email southplanningteam@westminster.gov.ukand ask for it to be recalled to the scrutiny committee. Has to be done within 15 days.

Sara Nathan ● 5478d

Sign the petition!http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-gaby-s-deli-charing-cross-road-london.html

Olga Sidoryk ● 5477d

dunnit!

Sara Nathan ● 5477d

Hope you heard Gaby on LBC this morning and then me supporting him!

Sara Nathan ● 5476d

I've posted a comment on an article in today's Indy about Kosher Cuisine - might alert more to the Save Gaby's Deli campaign!http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/kosher-cuisine-beyond-the-bagel-2358667.html

Olga Sidoryk ● 5475d

Gaby's isn't kosher - i think the Americans call it kosher-style - which means all the flavours and none of the restrictions.Nearly 800 facebook supporters and teh Westminster Councillors say they are "deluged" with emails.Oh I hope if works

Sara Nathan ● 5474d

I realise it isn't kosher but the article was about "Kosher Cuisine" so thought anyone interested in salt beef and other "Jewish Soul Food" might be interested to know about the Gaby's situation!  I hope it all works too, was gutted when the New Piccadilly café went; we need to fight for our London treasures!

Olga Sidoryk ● 5474d