Westminster council took absurd action against a bookshop (Image: Gilded Acorn)
Labour-run Westminster council is under fire after enforcement officers launched a furious planning war with a quaint independent book store, confiscating its display benches. The Gilded Acorn, a small shop on a wide pedestrianised street, had its two unobtrusive benches and 14 books seized by officers last week.
The tiny 30-year-old shop saw the council's busybody remove fixtures, fittings and event infrastructure before making off with the property, which is yet to be returned. Glenn Smart, the bookshop’s manager, told the Express the intervention was “deeply distressing”. Mr Smart said: “We’re a quiet, community-minded shop, not a corporate chain. For over three decades, we’ve operated here, through recessions, lockdowns and constant economic pressure.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Retired? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
407 Comments
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders
214 Comments
Keir Starmer has betrayed the working class and these 5 blunders prove it
33 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves' pensions ‘game-changer' to leave savers 'only slightly' better off
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves now knows what it feels like to be governed by Labour for one year
28 Comments
Ed Balls issues devastating verdict on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
54 Comments
King Charles' estate set for major overhaul after rent review
14 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Angela Rayner's 1.5 new homes in crisis as locals rage against 'horrifying' plan
189 Comments
Angela Rayner refuses to step in and save iconic UK pub beer garden
6 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Cost of school uniforms could rise for families thanks to Labour 'wrecking ball'
4 Comments
Outrage as Lib Dem council pays ￡1,300 to send child back to India
27 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
UK city 'gambling' over plan to introduce tourist tax higher than Barcelona and Rome
4 Comments
Expert: Why on one island 'we see more people moving from Britain than anywhere else'
1 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
407 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders
214 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Keir Starmer has betrayed the working class and these 5 blunders prove it
33 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
11 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Rachel Reeves' pensions ‘game-changer' to leave savers 'only slightly' better off
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves now knows what it feels like to be governed by Labour for one year
28 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Ed Balls issues devastating verdict on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
54 Comments
King Charles' estate set for major overhaul after rent review
14 Comments
Angela Rayner's 1.5 new homes in crisis as locals rage against 'horrifying' plan
189 Comments
Angela Rayner refuses to step in and save iconic UK pub beer garden
6 Comments
Cost of school uniforms could rise for families thanks to Labour 'wrecking ball'
4 Comments
Outrage as Lib Dem council pays ￡1,300 to send child back to India
27 Comments
UK city 'gambling' over plan to introduce tourist tax higher than Barcelona and Rome
4 Comments
Expert: Why on one island 'we see more people moving from Britain than anywhere else'
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
407 Comments
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
READ MORE: 'Wasted!' Nigel Farage slams Labour for spending ￡200k on ridiculous research
The council's enforcement officer with the offending bench (Image: Gilded Acorn)
“But nothing prepares you for people coming through your door and stripping out your livelihood with no meaningful explanation or attempt at dialogue.
“While Westminster speaks of supporting culture and community, their officers are shutting down one of the few places still flying the flag for both. It’s a really tough time for small businesses, and for booksellers in particular.”
Powered By
00:00/01:28
10 Sec
48.9K
7
James McMurdock removes Reform UK Party Whip from himself
Next
Stay
The incident has sparked outrage among neighbouring businesses and regular customers.
Sponsored
Any Home Value Lookup | Sponsored Sponsored
Las Vegas: Lookup Anyone's Home Value Instantly By Addr ess
Undo
Crime figures for the year to June 2024 showed that the City of Westminster had London’s highest level of police recorded crime for 10 of 13 categories, including burglary, drugs, possession of weapons and public order offences.
Total recorded offences for the London borough were up 5.7% on the previous year, putting the council’s actions against The Gilded Acorn bookshop into sharp focus.
Don't miss...
Rachel Reeves breaks silence after shocking PMQs crying scenes [LATEST]
Tories amusingly troll Keir Starmer ahead of welfare chaos showdown at PMQs [LATEST]
Angela Rayner claims she doesn’t want to be PM because it will ruin her looks [LATEST]
Angela Rayner will tell councils to focus on the public's priorities (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The revelation comes on the same day that Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner announced that she is planning on slashing needless waste by councils.
At the Local Government Association conference on Thursday, Ms Reeves will announce a new package of reforms to force councils to focus on delivering residents’ priorities.
Ms Reeves will warn councils that they have been weighed down by “needless bureaucracy” for “far too long”, and must begin focusing on voters’ needs.
She will say: “For far too long, councils have been weighed down by needless bureaucracy that makes it harder to focus on what matters most – delivering on local people’s priorities.
Trending
“We have already taken steps to fix the foundations of local government through our Plan for Change, and now we are going further and starting to tackle the mountain of admin and paperwork that too often holds the sector back.
“Our reforms will mean less pen pushing and more action in our streets and communities, improving local services for years to come.”
The move appears to ape Reform UK’s recent campaigns rooting out waste, with its DOGE programme headed up by former chairman Zia Yusuf.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
406 Comments
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders
214 Comments
Keir Starmer has betrayed the working class and these 5 blunders prove it
33 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
11 Comments
Rachel Reeves' pensions ‘game-changer' to leave savers 'only slightly' better off
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves now knows what it feels like to be governed by Labour for one year
24 Comments
Ed Balls issues devastating verdict on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
54 Comments
King Charles' estate set for major overhaul after rent review
14 Comments
Retired? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Angela Rayner's 1.5 new homes in crisis as locals rage against 'horrifying' plan
189 Comments
Angela Rayner refuses to step in and save iconic UK pub beer garden
6 Comments
Models' Weight Loss Strategy Revealed! Discover Now!Weight Loss Blog | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Cost of school uniforms could rise for families thanks to Labour 'wrecking ball'
4 Comments
Outrage as Lib Dem council pays ￡1,300 to send child back to India
27 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
UK city 'gambling' over plan to introduce tourist tax higher than Barcelona and Rome
4 Comments
Expert: Why on one island 'we see more people moving from Britain than anywhere else'
1 Comments
The Business Sneaker Loved by CEOs and NFL StarsWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored
Shop Now
Undo
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
High Speed WiFi Internet for Seniors at low ratesHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Award Winning ERP Research netsuite annual costTop ERP | Sponsored Sponsored
Click Here
Undo
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
406 Comments
The Elephant Memory Trick That May Keep Your Brain Young For Decades Memory Report Blog | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
Ed Miliband in the running to replace Rachel Reeves as chancellor - runners and riders
214 Comments
Retired? Get Internet and TV for One Low Monthly CostInternet & TV Bundles | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Keir Starmer has betrayed the working class and these 5 blunders prove it
33 Comments
Starmer branded 'puppet of the Left' over welfare U-turn after Rachel Reeves meltdown
11 Comments
The Elephant Memory Trick That May Keep Your Brain Young For Decades ...Memory Wellness Blog | Sponsored Sponsored
Undo
Rachel Reeves' pensions ‘game-changer' to leave savers 'only slightly' better off
4 Comments
Rachel Reeves now knows what it feels like to be governed by Labour for one year
24 Comments
Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored
Learn More
Undo
Ed Balls issues devastating verdict on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
54 Comments
King Charles' estate set for major overhaul after rent review
14 Comments
Angela Rayner's 1.5 new homes in crisis as locals rage against 'horrifying' plan
189 Comments
Angela Rayner refuses to step in and save iconic UK pub beer garden
6 Comments
Cost of school uniforms could rise for families thanks to Labour 'wrecking ball'
4 Comments
Outrage as Lib Dem council pays ￡1,300 to send child back to India
27 Comments
UK city 'gambling' over plan to introduce tourist tax higher than Barcelona and Rome
4 Comments
Expert: Why on one island 'we see more people moving from Britain than anywhere else'
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves ISA change warning as savers ‘run out of money'
12 Comments
Wes Streeting urged to end 'deadly postcode lottery' costing UK economy ￡4.5billion a year
1 Comments
The world's 10 safest countries to live in 2025 - only 3 are outside of Europe
1 Comments
Rachel Reeves may target millions with punishing income tax hikes to plug ￡40bn hole
91 Comments
Rachel Reeves hints at fresh tax raid as ￡40bn hole blown in Labour budget
17 Comments
Rachel Reeves has had a week from hell - but the real meltdown starts NOW
406 Comments
Desperate businesses plead with Keir Starmer to promise no more tax increases
3 Comments
The Business Sneaker Loved by CEOs and NFL...Wolf & Shepherd
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
High Speed WiFi Internet for Seniors at low ratesHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Award Winning ERP Research netsuite annual...Top ERP
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Las Vegas: Lookup Anyone's Home Value...Any Home Value Lookup
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
A spokesman for Westminster City Council said: “Many businesses in this area use outdoor space for tables and chairs and everyone is expected to work with the council and each other fairly to maintain clear pavements.
“The council doesn’t want to confiscate books, it is a last resort, but we had little choice after the business repeatedly ignored council notices and engagement efforts.
“We’re pleased we’re now working with the Gilded Acorn to see their book display returned.”