Harrods threaten legal action over cafe sign

A restaurant owner has told of his “amazement” after Harrods complained that his sign is allegedly too similar to that of the famous department store. Nigel Holland, who runs Hollands Cafe Lounge in Witham, Essex, said the Knightsbridge department store thought the Hollands business sign was too similar to the Harrods logo.

He said Harrods threatened legal action by letter if the Hollands sign and logo were not changed: "We had a letter a little while ago threatening legal action. We're only a little cafe. Changing all the signs and menus and so on could cost us a fortune," he added.

Mr Holland said the Hollands business sign was based on the way his wife signed her name and was not intended to imitate Harrods. However he did describe the demand as "wholly unreasonable" and said he planned to "stick to his guns".

Harrods said it was aware of the issue but did not respond to a request for a statement.

The ‘case’ continues...