The smell of stale cooking fat emanating from Tom Aikens’ fish and chip restaurant in Chelsea has “halved the value” of flats in the area, local residents have claimed.
Laura Benjamin, who lives next door to the Michelin-starred chef's Tom's Place, told the Evening Standard: “The smell is everywhere. The value of our flats has been halved and everyone is furious.”
Sir Michael Jenkins, who lives 40 yards from the restaurant in Cale Street, said “I get a horrible smell” and claimed that Aikens had refused to listen to complaints.
A fan that Aikens has installed to disperse the smell only increased the problem, according to Benjamin.
"There should be a state-of-the art filtration plant,” she said. “Instead, there is a fan the size of two aircraft engines three inches from my terrace which spreads a poisonous so-called deodorant.”
Aikens insisted that he done his best to improve the situation.
“The deodoriser is tested and approved or we wouldn't be allowed to use it,” he said. “We've also changed our fat from beef to vegetable. It's very difficult to please everyone.”
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By Daniel Thomas
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