Health food firm Bumble Bee still under threat, despite Islington Council backing

Published: 11 March, 2011
by TERRY MESSENGER

THE threat to pioneering health food firm Bumble Bee remains despite a decision by councillors to back the business.

Owner Ian Ogilvie fears his three shops on the border of Islington and Camden may still have to close or move.

He was speaking after Islington Council’s planning committee threw out an application which would have robbed Bumble Bee of its money-spinning take away trade.

Mr Ogilive said:  “We’ve won tonight and I am relieved, but the battle is far from over.”

The committee turned down an application from Bumble Bee’s landlord to turn the firm’s kitchen, where take aways are prepared, into residential accommodation.

But now Mr Ogilvie is concerned that the landlord, Mr S Devalia, will simply refuse to renew his lease on the premises when it expires in June.

Around 50 people crammed the council chamber at Islington Town Hall last Thursday night to lend their support to Mr Ogilvie.

A further 600 people have signed a petition supporting the business.

Mr Ogilvie argues that without profits from the takeaway trade, which operates from the premises in question, the business could fail, with the loss of 15 jobs.

Mr Devalia suggested to the committee that Mr Ogilvie could move to other available premises in the immediate vicinity.