Sean Murray is seeking help with some enforcement action at the southern end of York Way. Sean writes:
>>The retail unit at 2 York Way occupies a prime position in the regeneration area of King's Cross. Part of Regent Quarter, it has traded as a coffee shop and cafe since redevelopment. It's also the first unit you see when you exit King's Cross and enter the Islington side of King's Cross.
Several weeks ago the coffee shop morphed into a Kebab shop with brash and ugly illuminated signage. We need your help to ensure the unit returns to more appropriate usage.
Islington planning have opened a case and have confirmed the unit is trading illegally after 23:00 and has outstanding environmental concerns. They are to advise on the signage change on what was a building that had strict controls when converted.
The enforcement officer can be reached on Andrew.Marx@islington.gov.uk ref: Kebab shop at 2 York Way, N1.
The freeholders have also been contacted who seem unaware of the change!
Any help you can lend is greatly appreciated.
Kings Cross Environment 
Perhaps with more support from the locals in its former guise as a coffee shop, it might have succeeded….?! Can’t blame the owners for trying to make a living if the coffee wasn’t working…
Is the problem the signage, or the use?
Sean,
I too noticed this and was also disappointed. If an enforcement action is underway, is there anything else local folks should be doing at this time. I would assume that the owner will be seeking some kind of variance to the original application and it seems like then would be the best time to act. Please let me know what I can do to help.
Geoff – we believe the problem is both use and signage and are happy to tackle both or either. It’s not a case of trying to scupper a business making a living. It is a case of stopping a business taking the p*** and breaking planning, environmental and trading laws. Those breaches having a direct impact on the local community eg: illegally trading after 11pm (3am has been witnessed) will attract more drunks, more litter, more vomit, more noise and do noting to change the perception that King’s Cross is a dodgy place to be.
Stephan – any contact direct to Andrew Marx (E-mail address above) expressing concern will help speed along action. From our experience, there appears to be a link between the amount of concern raised and the priority issues are given by the various agencies. That said, the key is find the right individual and agency rather than wasting effort with a ‘spay and pray’ approach. Andrew has responded well and has passed on a journalist who made contact on this story vis this web-site.
Geoff,
Of further interest – as I understand it, the current owner who has done this conversion, IS NOT the original owner. The original owner sold on for a tidy profit based on a successful business – so it’s not a matter of supporting a pre-existing business that was failing!
Sean/Others:
I wrote to Addrew Marx as suggestted and received the following response that I felt would be of interst to all:
Thank you for your email. We already have a number of live investigations regarding this property relating to, amongst other issues, the signage and opening hours. We will add you to our list of contacts and will update you on any key decisions or actions taken. The case officer is Salah Kettani, and he can be contacted on 020 7527 2766 or salah.kettani@islington.gov.uk.
Regards
Andrew Marx
Enforcement Manager
Planning Service
Public Protection Division
Environment and Regeneration Department