Hundreds protest as coffee seller is told to move cart after 15 years to make way for a new bar Frank Wang has been stationed outside of Bethnal Green station for over a decade and claims TfL and the council are forcing him out

Hundreds gathered to protest the treatment of a coffee cart owner, who is claiming TfL and Tower Hamlets council have been trying to force him out of his Bethnal Green station spot – to make way for a trendy new bar.

Frank Wang says he was first contacted by the council six months ago and asked to move, but chose to ignore it because they are not his landlord.

A few weeks later the 52 year old said TfL requested he move to his business across the road.

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If agreed he would be stationed outside of a Starbucks.

Mr Wang revealed he later heard that the council may have promised the bar owners that he would be moved before they opened for business – without discussing it with him first.

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said the Council informed Mr Wang an alternative council-owned plot 200 feet from his current site was available, but did not ask him to move.

‘They’re against me’

While attempting to make his case to stay in the spot – where he has worked from for the past 15 years – Frank alleges his electricity was cut off by TfL.

Speaking to the i, Mr Wang said: “I keep asking why can’t Tower Hamlets and TfL accommodate a licensed bar – in a no alcohol park – and insist that I move on?”

“Residents told me that the planning was for a cafe in the park and not a bar, but what is now in the park is a bar with an alcohol license.”

“I told my customers and they seemed outrage that a bigger business and two big public bodies seemed all against me,” he added.

‘I honestly feel destroyed’

The business owner said he may be at risk of losing his home and livelihood if something is not done.

This is why he says he is grateful for all the support he is getting – but is still shocked that people care about his case.

He explained: “My customers set up a petition online, they organised the rally on my behalf yesterday, they have been trying to lobby TfL, Tower Hamlets Council, The Mayor of London and Tower Hamlets mayor.”

“I honestly felt destroyed, lost, scared to lose my house and my livelihood. I wake up, go to work with a smile on my face and serve my customers coffee.”

“I didn’t realise this could have such an impact – and get them to move to rally behind me like they did yesterday. It was very emotional yesterday – not ashamed to say I cried” he added.

Hopes for the future

An online petition has nearly 4,000 out of the 5,000 needed and it seems that his campaign won’t stop anytime soon.

Speaking of his hopes he said: “I just want to return to work as usual and serve my customers where I’ve been serving them for the past 15 years.”

“The message for the council and TFL is they have asked me to downsize and take up less space. I will downsize to make more space.”

He added: “Please let me serve my customers.”

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said:

“Transport for London is the landlord for Mr Wang’s coffee stand as it is on land that forms part of the entrance to Bethnal Green Underground Station.

“Previously, Mr Wang was getting his power from a point that TfL had installed on council land.

“The council’s land is now the site of a new bar and restaurant. As part of the construction the power point was disconnected and TfL has since removed it.

“It is for TfL to decide if they want Mr Wang to stay at his current site by providing a power source.

“The council believes in supporting local businesses and we have offered Mr Wang an alternative council-owned plot which is just 200 feet from his current site and immediately adjacent to one of the other entrances to the station.

“Mr Wang felt that the alternative site did not meet his needs.

“Mayor John Biggs wrote to TfL last month urging them to explore all options to find a solution that works for them and Mr Wang.”

Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at Transport for London, said: “We completely understand that this is extremely disappointing for Mr Wang and we are doing everything we can alongside Tower Hamlets council to offer alternative locations close by to ensure his business continues to thrive as part of the Bethnal Green community.

“We recognise the key role of London’s small businesses – the service they deliver make up the vast majority of our commercial estate, and will always do so.”

This story was updated at 19.15 to include a response from Tower Hamlets Council and TFL.