A London bar which was ordered to repaint a Euros-themed colour scheme has been given a stay of execution.
The Bunga Bunga, which counts Cara and Poppy Delevingne, Katherine Jenkins and Margot Robbie as regulars, was painted in the red, white and green of the Italian flag ahead of the European Championships and EU vote.
But just a week after it was refurbished in May, Wandsworth council ordered the Battersea venue to be painted white within 28 days — or face legal action.
Now the pizzeria-bar, which has hosted parties attended by Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie, has been allowed to keep its conspicuous façade until the end of the football tournament next month.
Bosses at the Battersea Bridge Road bar had argued that residents and customers were in favour of the more colourful scheme, saying it had received a “positive response”.
Locals including Christine Hamilton tweeted pictures and support.
Wandsworth’s planning department said it had an “adverse affect” on the appearance of the Victorian-built conservation area, and claimed there had been complaints.
Owners Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, who are opening a second Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden and run Maggie’s nightclub and the Underground-themed Cahoots bar, had planned to fight the order, but have agreed to the new conditions.
Mr Gilkes said: “We are fully co-operating with Wandsworth council and have agreed to paint the building white by the middle of July.
“We are grateful to them for giving us an extension so that we can really provide a home-from-home for Italians during Euro 2016.” He added that they were planning parties for each of Italy’s remaining games.
