‘I’ll shut – and sack my staff’
Saturday 25th July 2009, 2:29PM BST.
Reda Karim outside the St Sampson’s Boulangerie Victor Hugo, which he is threatening to close because of a row with planners about exterior artwork. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0810292)
A CAFE owner has threatened to close his Bridge business and make his staff redundant if he is forced to remove exterior painted panels from the shop.
Reda Karim, who owns Boulangerie Victor Hugo, said he would do that rather than give in to the Environment Department’s ‘ridiculous demands’ and threats to arrest him.
‘I will shut the door and make the staff redundant before I take them down because they are my trademark, exactly the same as on the other two cafes – and the public like them,’ he said.
‘It is the design of my business, and it is very important.’
Mr Karim said he had been treated very oddly by the department and a special constable had even come to his northern branch and threatened to arrest him.
He refused to go with the officer, who returned days later.
The main dispute involves a painting of author and former Guernsey resident Victor Hugo on the front wall and two, narrow painted panels that run vertically on the exterior.
Mr Karim said he would remove them without hesitation if a poll at the Bridge revealed that was what the majority of people wanted.
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If this story is true, the Environment Department need to get a life and find something useful to do. Perhaps they have too much time on their hands? The signs are tasteful and totally in keeping with its surroundings and the culture of the island. Compare that to some of the monstrosities that are built without so much of a whimper.
Finally, although I do sympathise with Mr Karim, I do think his threats are somewhat melodramatic.
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I find this issue ridulous, maybe its not in character to the rest of the shop frontages, but I think they should all follow suit & make the bridge look olde world & give it character for locals & visitors alike
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Victor Hugo Boulangerie has brightened up a drab, dreary little corner of the Bridge. The Gabriel’s shop that was there beforehand was dismal and depressing. Leave Mr Karim alone!
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I think the point that needs to be made is the fact that if a precedent is set then what next?
Sex shops where ever with similar frontages or legal high shops promoting their products.
There are procedures to go through and the owner can still make a retrospective application.
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Once again those in charge are showing their true colours and how very unprofessional and petty they can be. You could understand if it was painted some horrendous colour with polka dots all over the walls but its a very quaint and stylish look. But then again thats Guernsey for you.
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This is another situation where the Environment Department are dictating their view which is clearly contrary to the view of the majority. They are very often out of sync with people that they should be representing. The Boulangerie shop in New Road has been tastefully decorated both inside and out and is a positive addition to the area.
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Good for him! Don’t give in! The shops look very quaint and pretty, much better than a lot of other boring old 70s shop fronts in Guernsey. The Environment Dept are obviously stuck for something better to do. Some people exist only to suck all the fun out of life.
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The Environment Department havent got nothing better to do than hassle innocence people trying to make a living, they always waste time and money on petty things like this, why dont they hear what the public wants first before marching in and laying down the law.
The cafe looks very nice and pleasant.
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Sounds like Environment is the first States Department to cull staff from. Some of them clearly haven’t got enough important work to do if they are getting so involved in petty matters such as this.
Its about time that people stood up to such unnecessary bureaucracy. Good luck Mr Karim. All you need to do is start up a Facebook page and see how many islanders will support your case.
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HAHAHAHA…Etc!! Are we forgetting something? I think the main land call it, useful news, this petty thing is OTT! We should be proud of this piece of work that shows a great writer whom made our island popular and famous for the right reasons, Victor Hugo was a great man, if there is anything that should be removed is that rubbish fellow teenagers call graffiti, and those disgusting cars at Cobo, come on people, pick on something that really matters! Don’t make yourself look dumb. People like me will just laugh in your face at your sad pathetic reasons to open your mouths!
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I knew it; I’ve said it before and now it has come to light:
The Nazis never left Guernsey; well their apprentices anyway.
On yer bike you mismanaged lot trying to dominate the Island with your Bul,,,,
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I am thinking of opening up an Occupation Memorabilia shop – is it ok if I put a big picture of Adolf up as it is inkeeping with the theme?
I do sympathise with Mr Karim – and I think the frontage looks great-but you have to consider the precedent it will set. the law maybe an ass but it is the law none the less and applications have to be submitted for approval before work like this can be undertaken.
Best of luck with the retrospective plans – assuming they will be submitted.
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Exactly, the problem is precedent, if it were artwork that people were offended by then I suspect there would not be as many people in favour of Mr Karim’s actions.
This guy also built the decking at the Longstore cafe without permission, he’s one of those people who seems to think he can do whatever he likes. I’ve also spoken to someone who had a relative that used to work there, and they weren’t in the least bit surprised that he is more concerned about his outside decoration than he is about the welfare of his staff.
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Mr Brown
I wasnt aware that Hitler ever came to the island
I am of course assuming the photograph in the front of your occupation memorabilia shop will show a photograph of Hitler in Guernsey during the occupation.
Else I will be complaining to advertising standards for false advertising.
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This really is quite ridiculous.. cant Environment just leave Mr Karim to run his business? Its clear that they have little else to do than bully decent people trying to earn a living.
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Oh Cat – you fell for the bait – i am afraid I never mentioned a Mr Hitler – I just said Adolf – im sure many Adolfs have visited the island in its time. You should be careful what you read and what you assume – as the saying goes – ” assumption leads to the mother of all @!~# ups!
Point is – press write something and lead us to believe something – when the actual truth could be a lot different.
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When setting up a shop, you should know what’s right and what’s wrong, and he should’ve read up on the rules before opening the shop.
He also hasn’t got much will power if he’s going to close his business because of a few signs.
Although I do agree, it does look attractive and inkeeping with the area, I also agree that the states let all those horrible buildings along Admiral park, which were not inkeeping with that area!
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I don’t know the facts on the St Sampsons shop, but did he apply in this instance? Is this a case of enough is enough from planning for this individual. Clearly there needs to be a requirement for all retail business to go through the proper channels then if he receives an unfair response from planning he should contact the press not before.
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Mr Brown
You obviouslu didnt get the tone of my reply then. Which was poking holes in more potential beauracratic nonsense the states could get invloved with??
You should attempt to see the value in what others write too, instead of vainly celebrating the “triumph” of your rather crude “bait”
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So cat, are you saying it is ok to break the less important rules and laws, because it is the bigger ones we should be concentrating on? In which case perhaps you could compile a list of the smaller less important rules and laws I can break without fear of apprehension from Mr Plod or the merry band of beauracrats? Then I can go on my own mini crime spree.
Hmmm-this feeling of triumph is making me feel rather peckish-think i might pop out for a croissant and a pain au chocalat yum yum!
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Phil
Spot on.
I would like to paint a picture of Mr Trott on the states building, should i bother to wait for permission? would the Karim supporters be of the same opinion.
Now i`m in for it lol :)
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its about time this bloke ethier respect the lcoal law or go back home i am fed up with these people coming to my island and making there own rules as they go along grow up and do it the proper way and apply!!
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Hitler may never have been on the island, but he had hundreds of children and made them all work at the IDC or whatever they want to call themselves these days.
I think this mans signs are very attractive and regularly look at his cafe signs as I pass the one by the Longstore. They are certainly the most attractive business signs along the whole of the front.
No matter where he chooses to set up new cafes I would not have anything against his signs. We hear time and time again about individuals or small businesses being stopped in their tracks by the IDC, yet the phone companies and the states themselves have no problem getting permission for buildings or aerial masts. One rule for some and another rule for others, it’s always been that way with the IDC.
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To bcb, Golden Brown, GG etc.
Let’s get a little perspective here.
This is classic case of petty bureaucrats hounding a cafe owner who has brightened up a previously drab and dismal shop front and who has done no harm to anyone through his initiative and entrepreneurship.
What have any of you lot done to brighten up the lives of people in the Bridge area in particular and the island as a whole?
I don’t care if Mr Karim has breached sub section C, paragraph 4(iii) of the Island Planning Law (1966). What I do care about is that the seemingly under worked pen pushers at the Environment Department don’t have better things to do with their time!
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You are doing a fantastic job of twisting words here, a true politician in the making.
I was merely agreeing with your comment “the law maybe an ass” by pointing out that there are a whole load of similar beaurocratic hi-jinx that the states could start on next.
However as we are now splitting hairs, then from your posts you clearly agree with the states spending taxpayers funds on trivial matters.
Personally I would rather the money be spent on adding to the police force, rather then pencil pushers chasing up poor signs?
Also to expand on another of your points, are you now saying that Murder and Incorrect signage are one and the same?? A rule is a rule ergo a crime is a crime…..
I’d be happy for you to go on your crime spree, if the worst crime you committed was having incorrect painted panels.
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Why thank you cat – a true compliment. A rule is a rule and a crime is a crime-all should be apprehended and suitably punished. Im not saying that Mr Karim should be hung at the gallows-merely that he knows the law and should stick to it, and if he chooses to ignore it, then he should expect to be apprehended and punished suitably.
Martino-you are right we need perspective-but I stand by the above. But its odd that everyone moans theres too many civil servants doing nothing – then you moan when they carry out their tasks! Make your mind up folks!
Michael LL – please if your going to slate a department – at least get with the programme – its the Environment department, the IDC has been gone for years. Think before you type please!
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I think that shop looks brilliant. I no longer live in Guernsey but when I did I lived in St Sampsons and my parents still do. I love the Bridge and I think that that’s a great improvement and shouldn’t be overpainted. Good on you sir!
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Did Mr Karim apply for permission from the Environment department BEFORE making the changes to the front of his shop? If yes and it was rejected then he has cause to be upset. I personally think that they all look good and, as Mr Karim states, show the connection with his other shops.
If, however, he didn’t bother to apply, then surely he has bought this upon himself. Everybody else applies (or at least should do!) for everything from a skylight to an outhouse – what makes him such a special case?
And, as far as closing down and making his staff redundant goes, how arrogant! What must his other staff think if that’s how he behaves? I for one will pass on by his lovely looking shop on my way to the cafe on Southside for a bite to eat!
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Martino
I think he is doing the hounding by doing what he wants and ignoring the law. The rules are there for us all mate and cannot just be ignored by your friends?. What is his problem in waiting for permission anyway? he knew the rules and now he`s acting like a child because he`s been challenged.
I happen to like the paintings myself but thats not the point.
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Golden Brown
IDC, Enviroment Department, whatever. I’m sorry but I am calling them IDC as they will always be IDC to me and lots of other locals that I speak to, whatever they rename themselves to. Just because they changed their name does not mean they had a complete change of staff at the same time to cleanse themselves of any past pettyness. Many people know them as the IDC still and have to think long and hard to remember their new name.
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Tis an old age problem of Guernsey – things may move on but some of the people never will. Still RIP IDC.
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I don’t think he should be able to get what he want’s by spitting the dummy out and threatening to sack all his staff – it’s not their fault.
If they allow this, then it will set a precedent for others to do the same.
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I don’t think it is to Mr Karim’s credit that he threatens to punish his staff because he is in dispute with a States department. Where would that sort of behaviour end? We’ve all crossed swords with bureaucrats in the past. Should we all have been flaying around looking for someone or something to hit because we couldn’t get what we wanted?
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The signs are lovely! All signs do not need to be the same, variety is key.
Its quite simple all they needed to do was say hey no permissions fill out this form and we will do apllication. Threats are not the way to go , lets get support rather than heavey handed!
Enviroment Dept also look after the bus routes and times , perhaps these people with spare time on their hands could ride a few routes each day to see that it is rare to ride a but on schedule and then do something about that!!
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At least Karim has made a eye catching shopfronts on all his outlets than the hidious carbuncles of the seafront they call the Admiral/Vega buildings.. Get your major planning right,. why allow office buildings with wonderful views when the employees have their heads stuck in front of a VDU all day, and the overpriced residential units have only poor side views .
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Irrespective of the opinions on the merits of the artwork, Mr Karim doesn’t sound a very caring employer; glad I don’t work for him! Maybe the IDC (like others, I still think of them as that) are behind the times in some people’s opinions, but if there are planning laws in force, then people should respect them and put in the for the correct permissions. If not granted, don’t do it. Just my view!
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I think this is so unfair I love the look of that place it is tastefully done they need to get a life, this is extremely petty.
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He is using the same tactic as video shop owner did at victoria avenue, remember that one? the sunday trading? Get the puplic on side. Some people should do a little research on these people before they offer any sympathy, they might not be so quick to offer support then. As for the painting it looks nice, but go about it the correct way instead as coming across as some sort of victim where the law is treating you any different to anybody else. As for “this poor man attitude” some have expressed, dont beleive that one.
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Whilst I feel he should have followed the procedures like the rest of us, it is ludicrous to tell him they are not in keeping. I suggest next time the planners are on the Albert Quay they look to the right of the Town Church Steeple and see the monstrous glass box that has been built on Clifton. I can only guess that these planners have been imported from the UK!
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People need to remember that the Environment Department is made up of individual people with their own personal objectives, views and tastes on issues, and they promote themselves into positions of authority so they can nurture their own egos and feel better about their own personal shortcomings. I would have have more sympathy with the Environment Departments views if they were consistent and they didn’t give the go-a-head to other far more unsightly projects elsewhere on the island.
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