The shop at the centre of Gaza protests in Manchester has blasted the town hall and police for ‘failing to protect’ its business.

Beauty shop Kedem say demonstrators are deliberately causing loss to the King Street beauty store in an attempt to financially ruin it.

They added they felt ‘let down’ by Manchester council and Greater Manchester Police for failing to move the protesters on – and called for the force ‘return King Street to the city’.

Kedem says it has been the focus of protests by pro-Palestinian demonstrators because it sells cosmetic products from Israel.

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The shop’s solicitor, Robert Festenstein, from firm RHF, said in a letter to the M.E.N. he was concerned over the ‘lack of action’ from the council and GMP.

He added: “The protesters are deliberately causing loss to Kedem and coincidentally to other shops on King Street.

“The city council and the GMP have a responsibility to look after all of the people and businesses of Manchester and so far they are letting them all down.

“It is time action was taken and King Street returned to the city.”

Pat Karney booed by protesters

 

Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters have been holding counter-demonstrations through Manchester city centre since July – with some business reporting takings down by some 80pc.

Coun Pat Karney, the city centre spokesman, said: “The council is working closely with GMP to make sure the shops can trade normally and no shop worker feels intimidated.

“The council, through the CityCo city centre management company, is in touch with the shops regularly.”

Police refused to respond publicly to the criticism.

A GMP spokesman said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by solicitors acting for Kedem and have responded directly to them.”

However, Scott Anderson, a protester and spokesman for Manchester Palestine Action, defended his group’s tactics. He said: “Everything we are doing is perfectly legal, which is why the police are not moving us on.

“We are exercising our legal right to protest.”

The protests are being held as the violence in Gaza, where hundreds of people have died, shows no sign of ending, despite a number of uneasy ceasefires.