Chris Ostwald has been thrust into the middle of a racism row after he opened his shop in north London in November selling nostalgic British themed gifts and homeware, including London Underground tea-towels, Suffragette aprons and socks.
Sad that a shop selling #british products called #reallybritish is seen as racist and is a target for abuse. Come on we're better than that!
— lydia (@5goed) December 9, 2016
His crime, according to many of the local residents, is that he displayed too many Union Jack flags and his patriotism was taken for racism.
Critics of the "Really British" shop in Muswell Hill accused Mr. Ostwald of being insensitive and "pro-Brexit" at a time when community tensions across Britain are growing following the EU referendum.
PM Theresa May: Polish and British governments are working together to tackle and prevent #hatecrime against #PolesinUK. pic.twitter.com/yBPJgZL7lf
— Polish Embassy UK (@PolishEmbassyUK) November 28, 2016
Responding to the accusations of racism and insensitivity, Mr. Ostwald said: "The shop is no way meant to be 'political' or 'pro-Brexit'.
The bleeding heart liberal luvvies who are so outraged at a shop in Muswell Hill being called "Really British" have no problem with this eh? pic.twitter.com/V3KG4gD1TF
— The Herd (@johnnytheherd) December 9, 2016
Angry residents who have threatened to boycott the shop and organize protests over the items he sells, which also include popular British themed souvenirs and memorabilia.
"People in Muswell Hill are a bit liberal and they are taking it far too seriously. There is nothing political about this," Mr. Ostwald told London tabloid the Standard.
"It's about products not politics. This stuff with Brexit has gone too far we should just get on with it," Mr. Ostwald said.
