Gorillas aims to deliver shopping within 10 minutes

RESIDENTS have warned a delivery firm’s new warehouse is wreck­ing the peace in a quiet Clerkenwell backstreet.

In the latest pinch point caused by the rise of “at your fingertips” delivery services, neighbours say they will be plagued by noise and disturbance as the company works to fulfil quickfire orders.

Gorillas, a delivery app that promises to get customers their shopping within 10 minutes, has already opened sites in Holloway and Angel, but now wants to also move into Farringdon Road.

Islington’s licensing committee must decide on Tuesday whether to grant an alcohol licence but have been sent messages of opposition from several residents living in Herbal Hill Gardens, a nearby block of flats.

The plan “would attract undesirable (possibly already intoxicated) persons late at night,” said one.

Another Herbal Hill occupant added: “Access [to the warehouse] is directly below my flat and has already caused a large degree of distress with noise at all times and the blocking of access to my car parking space in the basement.”

Residents have also warned that the operation was having a detrimental effect on “a heritage site, with the Italian church nearby and Herbal Hill – one of the oldest streets in Clerkenwell”.

The objection added: “The annual Italian parade passes through Herbal Hill. It would create a public nuisance to turn this into a delivery site.”

Gorillas had already “proven themselves to be a disorderly public citizen,” the resident said, claiming that in recent days “extremely noisy” building works at the site had started as early as 6am, despite only being allowed from 8am.

A Gorillas representative told the Tribune: “We’re thrilled to be launching in Farringdon later this month. Whenever we arrive in a neighbour­hood, building positive and transparent relationships with our new neighbours and the relevant local authority is a top priority for us at Gorillas.”

They added: “All of our customer deliveries are carried out on e-bikes rather than scooters, so as to not disturb our neighbours. Beyond that we are creating a riders’ room so that our crew have somewhere away from the street to rest between deliveries. With regards to the specific concerns around the late sale of alcohol, alcohol will not be sold for consumption on the premises, and will not be delivered for consumption in public places.”

The service is due to begin on July 27.