A central London stationery shop frequented by celebrities has been swamped by an “overwhelming” number of e-bikes parked outside, its owner has said.
Choosing Keeping in Covent Garden is an independent stationery shop that singer Gracie Abrams has called her “favourite store in the world”. Owner Julia Jeuvell said access to the shop, which has been praised as “beautiful” by Gwendoline Christie, is being hindered by a dockless e-bike bay situated outside.
Owner says e-bikes are a 'nightmare'
The 41-year-old said the large number of e-bikes on the pavement has been proving a “nightmare”, claiming she has seen a sharp rise in anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in the area.
Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: “It affects deliveries, it can block fire exits.”
“People care about the community here in Covent Garden, but we have zero voice,” she said, voicing her anger at Camden Council for “not standing up for small businesses”. She claimed neither she nor neighbouring businesses were consulted on the parking bay, and accused the local authority of failing to address the situation.
Council response and crackdowns
“The council give us no help. They laugh at us. I feel humiliated.”
In June, Camden Council approved a new five-year procurement strategy for its dockless bike hire schemes. Councillor James Slater said the local authority will continue to encourage the use of e-bikes throughout the borough, citing their growing popularity. However, he stressed that it will “take a no-tolerance approach to e-bikes that are blocking pavements and left stranded in car parking bays”, explaining that more than 2,000 have been impounded.
Some boroughs, including Westminster, have launched crackdowns on e-bikes in light of the scale of the problems they are causing. In Bromley, Lime bikes have been banned throughout the borough after a blind man had to walk into a dual carriageway with his guide dogs as the e-bikes were blocking the pavement. The company has since changed its app to stop the hiring of its bikes in the borough, The Standard reports.
Lime pledges action
Responding to Jeuvell’s claims, Camden Council stressed that it remains committed to supporting high streets and local shops, especially when “businesses across the country are facing very challenging times”.
“We want to assure Ms Jeuvell that we take reports of anti-social behaviour very seriously and, in line with our £1m investment this year to expand community safety patrols in Camden, we are taking action alongside the police to target this area.” It said it is aware of concerns regarding the bay outside her store and will be reviewing its location, with the intention of consulting on it shortly.
A Lime spokesperson said the bay is being treated as a “priority area”, with parking patrollers tidying up the bikes four times a day. It said those who do not park compliantly will be fined, warned or even banned from using the service. “Given the growing demand for e-bikes, there is a clear need for more designated parking locations, especially in areas where people use them to access local businesses daily. Lime is committed to working with Camden Council to deliver more parking that works for everyone and is responsibly managed.”
