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It's bad enough that celebrities are boycotting your restaurant for serving endangered tuna, so imagine the horror when an environmental activist turns up and locks out any remaining customers.
Nobu fell victim to such a protest last night when Aidan Brown, an eco-activist from north London, dressed up as a fisherman and used a bicycle *-lock to chain together the entrance doors to the Michelin-starred restaurant in Park Lane, preventing diners getting in.
He then stuck up a sign that read "Gone Fishin' for Blue Fin Tuna" by way of explanation. Some puzzled restaurant-goers are reported to have actually believed the head chef had disappeared for the night for a spot of deep-sea angling and decided to dine elsewhere. Mr Brown is then said to have even redirected diners to Zuma in Knightsbridge, waving down taxis for their convenience.
The saga lasted for over an hour until the lock was finally removed.
The Nobu chain - co-owned by Robert De Niro and a favoured haunt of actors, pop stars and models - has been threatened with a boycott for serving Atlantic bluefin tuna, one of the world's most vulnerable fish.
Campaigners say the species could be wiped out within three years. Celebrities such as Elle Macpherson, Stephen Fry and Sienna Miller have signed a letter demanding bluefin be taken off the menu.
The restaurant responded by adding this warning to its menu: "Blue fin tuna is an environmentally threatened species. Please ask your server for an alternative."
The Met said they received a call from Nobu last night but the restaurant had called back to say they had removed the lock and officers did not attend.
Reader views (9)
I like his hat 
And Zuma is a very tasty alternative. Nice he helped customers out too!
- S, London, 05/08/2009 14:10
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Good work that man. Fishing a species to near extinction is something that shouldn't happen in this day and age. Eat yellowfin, it's just as tasty'
- Nathan Barley, London, 05/08/2009 13:38
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Top marks to that young man! It's characters like him that keep this country as the vibrant home of political debate that it is!
- Robin Renshaw, London, 05/08/2009 12:55
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Brilliant! Love a bit of direct action
- Marmite Lover, london, 05/08/2009 12:43
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Good lad Aidan!
- Mike, London, 05/08/2009 11:52
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Mr Staker - the right to protest and freedom of speech are fundamental to this country.
If only there were more people like Aidan highlighting the extremely serious issue of a species facing extinction precisely due to self centred attitudes like yours they may have a chance.
- Matthew Harvey, London, 05/08/2009 11:45
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Lovely story. Made me giggle. Good for him!!
- Essie, London, 05/08/2009 11:14
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He should have been dragged away by the scruff of his neck, thrown in a cell, charged the next day, and then faced court.
Yet another protedter spoiling other peoples private time out.
- P Staker, London, 05/08/2009 10:46
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The saga lasted for over an hour until the lock was finally removed.
So how safe is my bike? Can we have the name of the lock?
- Paul, Rochester UK, 05/08/2009 09:49
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