‘We are being swamped’: South Londoners protest dark stores and kitchens  

South Londoners living next to food delivery warehouses say they’re being swamped by drivers who pee on their doorsteps.

Residents of York House in Waterloo fear the problems with nuisance drivers will get worse after a warehouse run by on-demand groceries service Gorillas was given the go-ahead to deliver booze.

Lambeth Council gave permission for Gorillas to drop off alcohol and food from its warehouse on Carlisle Lane from 8am to midnight, seven days a week, at a meeting  on January 24.

Local residents said they were unhappy with the decision, claiming they’ve endured years of hassle from the warehouses and kitchens opposite their flats.

They said the problems related to food delivery drivers in the area, not specifically those employed by Gorillas.

One York House resident, who asked not to be named, said: “When we come out of our front door and go downstairs, we’re wading through urine.

“There’s overflowing bins, pavements that are blocked and they fight among themselves.

“We’re not happy about Gorillas arriving here. It means more bikes on the road and more noise.

“It’s not Gorillas’ fault. But we are being swamped – that’s our concern.”

Another, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: “The antisocial behaviour includes couriers urinating and gathering on the stairs of our block to smoke marijuana and ‘hang out.’

“The area has gone from being a quiet side road, when I moved in, to an unsightly, squalid, looking area: marijuana and food smells, overpopulated by couriers.”

There are dozens of so-called ‘dark kitchens’ and ‘dark grocers’ operating out of railway arches in Carlisle Lane and Hercules Road near the flats.

The warehouses are used by online delivery businesses to store groceries or prepare meals before drivers deliver them to people’s houses.

Craig Baylis, representing Gorillas at a licensing meeting on January 24, said he didn’t know what dark grocers were after being asked about them by Councillor Becca Thackery.

He said: “I don’t know what dark grocery status means, sorry. It’s not a term I understand.”

Mr Baylis said the Gorillas warehouse in Carlisle Street had been delivering alcohol since January 13, 2022 with a temporary events license and had received no complaints so far.

He added: “We have a general manager who operates these premises. He will have worked in previous premises.

“All of the drivers when they join Gorillas are trained as far as licensing laws are concerned and how they should behave responsibly in terms of how they make the deliveries, how they carry out their trade. It’s all monitored by an experienced manager.”

Delivery drivers at the Gorillas warehouse will only be permitted to ride bikes and electric bikes to reduce noise in the area.

The company agreed to carry out a daily litter pick outside the front of the railway arches it occupies to keep the area tidy.

Gorillas said in a statement: “Our Gorillas warehouse and rider teams are always considering the residents of the neighbourhood they operate in to ensure minimum disruption.

“All Gorillas riders use E-Bikes – as opposed to motorbikes or scooters – to reduce noise pollution and provide a more sustainable solution to the ultra-fast delivery service.

“As an employee-centric company, all our riders are employed on a permanent basis, with a focus on ensuring we attract and hire the right talent who share our values and culture.

“We have close and constructive dialogue with all riders and local communities, with any inappropriate behaviour not tolerated by the Gorillas team.

“We’re confident that the Carlisle Lane, Lambeth opening will be a success and will continue to take on feedback from both our riders and local communities, addressing any concerns if they arise.”