[title]
We know people love a good heist. There’s a reason why so many popular films are based on robberies: the silver screen has brought us bangers like Oceans Eleven, St Trinian’s, The Pink Panther and Reservoir Dogs to name but a few.
But when does our love of a good burglary go too far? Diamond dealers in London’s Hatton Garden are up in arms about plans to open a heist-themed wine bar in the district inspired by a real robbery that took place in 2015. Jewelers in the area called the proposals ’ghoulish’ and said it would make a mockery of the event that caused many dealers to lose their livelihoods.
The council is currently considering a proposal to transform the safe deposit box building that was the scene of the infamous hole-in-the-wall robbery into a wine bar. In 2015, the elaborate heist was carried out by six experienced thieves who had spent years planning their crime in pubs and cafés in nearby Islington and Clerkenwell. The crooks stole goods with an estimated value of £14 million, with only £4.3 million worth of items recovered to date. During the investigation the robbery was called the ‘largest burglary in English legal history’.
Hatton Garden jewelers have said the bar would force the longest-serving jewellery retailer in the area out of his shop. George Katz, owner of the threatened E Katz and Co, told the Islington Tribune: ‘To my mind [the themed bar] is like when you have a car crash and there are people slowing down to look at it and see if there are any bodies there.
‘It is ghoulish and completely inappropriate.
‘A lot of people lost their livelihoods in the 2015 robbery. Most people didn’t have insurance as safe deposits are supposed to be rock solid, they are nearly impossible to get into. People had such a setback. I believe one person actually took their own life because his whole business was ruined.’
The application, submitted to Camden council in July by landlord Pearl & Coutts, argues the new bar would ‘celebrate and enhance the heritage significance of the building’. More than 100 objections have already been submitted against the plans.
Camden council said: ‘The council will always seek to protect Camden’s existing businesses. Hatton Garden has been an established centre for the jewellery industry since the 19th century, and we will seek to secure new premises suitable for jewellery workshops and related uses and protect them through planning obligations.
‘The consultation for the application closed on the 30 August 2026. Our officers will assess this against the policies of our development plan, while also taking into account public feedback and comments.’
ICYMI: Andy Burnham reveals the three London pubs he’ll always love.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.