Slippers at noon in City restaurant noise row

CITY favourite 1 Lombard Street has got creative in its continuing battle with Lord Mayor Michael Bear over its alleged “excessive noise”.

From today, the restaurant is giving its customers the option of wearing slippers as they dine so they don’t disturb the peace of the alderman, who has issued seven noise-related complaints against the restaurant in the last three months, culminating in a noise abatement order.

“By doing this, we hope a well-rested Mayor – to our knowledge the only resident close by, in a decidedly non-residential area – might continue to promote businesses in the City,” says the “slippers optional” notice in the restaurant’s reception.

It explains: “There are continued discussions between the Lord Mayor of the City of London, who lives in a grace-and-favour apartment, next-door in Mansion House, and a number of neighbouring businesses, about the purported level of noise emanating in the vicinity.

“This noise apparently comes from morning deliveries, which for 1 Lombard Street ensures we can prepare meals in time, and… ahem… customers leaving the premises. We are therefore delighted to offer our customers the opportunity to wear carpet slippers during their stay or, indeed, when they leave.”

At the time of writing, there were only half a dozen pairs of slippers for customers to choose from, including a pink pair and a statement leopard print set. But a spokesperson assured The Capitalist that stocks of silent footwear would be replenished over the course of the day to meet the – no doubt insatiable – customer demand.