News about James Harvey

Surely few at Gail's, which serves iced lattes with cute red-and-white paper straws, could have imagined the decision to move to E17 would have triggered such a furious backlash. The arrival of the artisan bakery, famed for its cinnamon buns, almond croissants and sourdough loaves, would normally be welcomed with open arms by the local community because it is perceived as a marker of an area's upmarket credentials and often the precursor, say estate agents, to a rise in house prices.

The new Gail's store at the centre of a furious gentrification row has put up new signs featuring a bearded and tattooed hipster, despite locals fears the coffee shop will quash the areas 'charm' Hundreds of residents of Walthamstow Village in east London have signed a petition to stop a Gail's opening after plans were announced to open 35 new sites across Britain.  The new signage amid the outrage from locals who are vehemently against the new branch features a tattooed man walking a dog on a white background, whilst also advertising for people to work at the café. 

Residents of Walthamstow Village today said a controversial new Gail's branch was the 'ultimate sign of gentrification' and will see independent coffee shops lose trade. Locals in the East London enclave spoke to MailOnline today about their concerns as some fight to stop the upmarket bakery opening an outlet on their high street. They fear it could put independent rivals out of business and hundreds have signed a petition against Gail's after the chain announced plans to open 35 new UK sites. People in the area claimed today that the plans were 'not great for coolness factor' and the chain was 'probably out of reach price-rise for a lot of the community'. Others pointed out that while they liked Gail's and had visited other branches, they did not agree with it coming to Walthamstow and would instead support local firms.

Villagers are fighting to stop the bakery chain Gail's opening a site on their high-street threatening to run independent cafes out of business in one of London 's most gentrified areas. Hundreds of residents of Walthamstow Village have signed a petition to stop a Gail's opening after the chain planned to open 35 new sites across Britain. The organiser, James Harvey, believes if the brand opens local alternatives will be forced to close and the village will lose its charm and character. He warned: 'This could lead to decreased visibility and pedestrian traffic towards independently run businesses, threatening their very existence and dismantling the character and diversity crucial to Walthamstow's charm.'