Mystery surrounds the disappearance of an antique Grade II-listed feature of one of London's most renowned streets.
A petition has been started to restore the Porter's Rest on Piccadilly — the last remaining example of the piece of street furniture that used to be a common sight in the capital. They were installed to give porters a chance to have a break, without having to put their load on the ground and lift it again. This film clip from British Pathé shows it in use.
According to Westminster council planning documents, in 2013 an application was made to remove the rest following an "internally generated" complaint about the historic structure, describing it as a "general nuisance".
But a council spokesman told Londonist the authority doesn't know who's taken it away, or what's happened to it: "We've noticed it's gone, and are looking to track it down or to put in a replacement. The council didn't remove it. We think it may have been stolen, but we don't know. "
If anyone knows where it is or what's happened to it, get in touch in the comments below, or email [email protected]
