Marta Gherardi

Halsin and Astarion Goldman taking a stroll

This is Frank and he has had a coffee stand at the top of the steps at Bethnal Green tube for as long as I can remember. When the new restaurant/coffee shop next door opened along with another high street outlet opening across the street, Frank suddenly found that his license from the council had been revoked and he was chucked off his stand. I believe it was to make way for these new shops to take his regular custom. They didn’t need him in the way of gaining maximum profit... so Frank was gone. Well the locals were having none of it and a petition started demanding his return. How dare they do this to him. How dare these people smash his business and leave him with nothing. After a lot of pressure the council backed down and Frank had his licence and pitch returned to him but sadly by that time Frank had sold his equipment to feed his family and try to survive. So the good people of Bethnal Green started crowdfunding and here’s the result... Frank back in business on his old pitch with brand new equipment and even a little hut now to shelter him from the rain... Brilliant!! He is truly the happiest man in East London and it’s wonderful to see. It really does show that if we all stick together, stand up to them and just say no... the little guy can win. If you’re in Bethnal Green come and have a coffee with this lovely man. 🧡