Arsenal players’ favourite Jerk spot has Jamaican-themed facade torn down by ‘heartless’ council

A Caribbean restaurant opposite Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium has had its Jamaican-themed facade torn down by the council which deemed it as having ‘a negative impact on the street’.

Juss Jerk, a favourite of Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, has been locked in a two-year planning battle with Islington council.

The decision forced owner Neville Stewart to rip out the sheltered structure that allowed outdoor seating at the restaurant in Hornsey Road.

Arsenal’s second-highest-ever goalscorer, Ian Wright signed a 1,000-strong petition to try to save the extension to no avail.

The restaurant, opened in 2019, was lavished with praise by Wright after a visit in which he tucked into a jerk chicken burger and downed a rum punch.

He said whenever he was back at the stadium as a pundit or for promotional work it was a ‘must visit’.

He said in a TikTok video: ‘Listen, every time I do stuff for Arsenal, you have to come into Juss Jerk. You have to do it.’

The video shows the player turned pundit smiling and enjoying banter with the staff.

The owner told Metro: ‘This is just gut-wrenching. It’s so cold-hearted and an example of a terrible attitude towards small businesses. I think if I was a big business, a corporation like McDonalds it would have been a different story.

‘It’s tough for us and the area outside was not a problem for anyone that I could see. The branding was the same as on the front of the restaurant. It’s very disappointing.’

The outside area was built during Covid to deal with mixing restrictions and a kind-hearted local volunteer did the work, with the space becoming a ‘community hub’ through the pandemic.

The area was also a favourite of Arsenal fans for their pre and post-match meals, with tables overlooking the 60,000 capacity stadium in north London.

It is understood that Islington Council had received a complaint claiming the annex was out of character with the area.

Neville said: ‘Ian Wright loves it here and signed our petition. He’s a lovely guy.

‘We’ve had Martin Odegaard here and countless Arsenal staff. They love it here. People from the Caribbean and all over the world enjoyed the outside space. It had a great vibe.

‘As for being out of character, there are loads of restaurants and businesses here. I don’t agree, I think I’ve been unfairly targeted. The council never previously had a problem with it – then a complaint and it’s all over.

‘All I could do is appeal to the High Court but I can’t afford that. I’ll just have to get on with it.’

The area where the wooden annexe was built is now taped off with Neville considering putting uncovered tables and chairs outside but with winter approaching, he fears business will suffer.

Locals have described the council’s decision as ‘heavy-handed’ and unfair on small businesses.

Carl, who runs a nearby mini mart, told Metro: ‘It’s so unfair our costs are through the roof. It’s heavy-handed from the council, there was no problem. Small businesses are struggling.

‘The council is being unfair. Business rates, energy costs, you name it we are struggling. Neville is a good guy, working hard. He needs to be given a break.’

Caroline Tierney, who lives nearby, told Metro: ‘Juss Jerk is great, I’ve taken friends there. It’s part of multicultural London I think the council is being over the top.’

Islington Council’s planning enforcement officer claimed the ‘design and appearance of the structure along with the bold advertising, provided a negative impact on the street scene’.

A statement from Islington Council said: ‘An enforcement notice was issued for the unauthorised structure, and this was upheld following an appeal by the owner to the national Planning Inspectorate.  

‘As this remains a live planning enforcement matter, the council is unable to comment further.’