'Are we not in Britain?' Furious Greenwich residents say there is nothing wrong ... trends now
Furious residents in Greenwich have said there is nothing wrong with the Union Jack mural outside a fish and chip shop after the owner was told to tear it down by the council.
The Golden Chippy in Greenwich, south-east London, installed the £250 mural which features the patriotic fish just weeks ago.
The artwork shows humanised sea creature holding a Union Jack alongside the phrase 'A Great British Meal'.
The mural, on the corner of Greenwich High Road and Devonshire Drive, has been the focus of council removal attempts after it was commissioned by owner Chris Kanizi.
Chris, 65, has vowed to fight the decision, attempting to keep the characterful artwork on the wall as an attraction for tourists in an area with several hotels.
His anger was echoed by a local walking group who were scathing in their criticism of Greenwich Council.
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The mural outside the Golden Chippy in Greenwich, south-east London
The shop installed the £250 mural which features the patriotic fish just weeks ago
Chris Kanizi (pictured) is owner of the award winning The Golden Chippy in Greenwich High Road
Recently graduated student and local resident Francis Cho with the offending mural
Local fan and chip shop regular Steve, poses with his chips next to the mural
The Monday Walking Group hit out at the council's actions to have the mural removed from the wall
The Monday Walking Group, including Greenwich locals John, Deb and Andy, hit out at the council's actions.
'Fish and chips are a typical English meal. This is just so people can come and have fish and chips,' said Deb. It's outrageous.'
Long-time Greenwich resident John said: 'It's just the typical woke council.
'If that was a Palestinian flag, would they have such strong objections? I doubt it.
'This chippy has been around here for 20 years. This is the second time they've taken a mural down.
'The council will gladly go on and on about maritime history – but here is a place that is celebrating it and a British food and they're trying to get it taken down.'
Mural-defender Ainsley is a frequent visitor to the area as her father has lived nearby for over 20 years.
'It's a British flag. We are in Britain. The owners are Cypriot and if it's them who have put it up surely you can see that its not offensive,' she said.
'It's celebrating Great British fish and chips. What's wrong with that?
'The council should concentrate and put their time and money into things that actually matter.'
Two women who wished to remain anonymous said: 'Honestly, who cares about it being there? I've just walked past it and barely noticed it.
'We have bigger issues around here: food bank usage is through the roof, people can't get school places. And they're focussing on a b***** fish mural?'
Steve Cooper, 60, a worker at nearby Lewisham College, criticised the council for the order.
Mr Cooper, who has lived in Greenwich for 20 years, said the mural 'makes the area a much brighter place'.
He added: 'I think it's lovely. What's wrong with the Union Jack? Is that not the national flag? Are we not in Britain?
Cem, the son of owner Chris who commissioned the mural, thinks the mural makes tourists and locals smile and gives them something to photograph to remember their visit
Chris Kanizi, 65, holds up fish in his award-winning restaurant in south-east London
The artwork shows humanised sea creature holding a Union Jack alongside the phrase 'A Great British Meal'
'I use the chippy all the time. It's excellent. The council wants to take that down but if you fly Palestinian flags in east London then it's a different story.'
Chinese ex-pat Francis Cao, 23, lives in Greenwich and said she likes the mural because it gives Greenwich a new local landmark.
The shop assistant and university graduate moved to the area in September and said: 'It's nice because the shop is quite
