The story of the coffee shop, and the now-censored sign

When the walls are adorned with portraits of Stalin, the toilet cubicle has a fake CCTV camera installed, and there are impulse purchase items like ebola masks at the point of sale, just how does a coffee shop chain masquerading as an independent business ensure continued news coverage? Bermondsey Street Coffee has the answer. Or rather, the artist formerly known as Bermondsey Street Coffee.

The chain is renowned for free and easy usage of offensive words on pavement chalk boards, and if you dare to write a complaint letter they'll publish it online. Their Twitter feeds are well worth a look - we guarantee you'll be amused, no matter how grown up you think you are.

The terribly hip hipsters have secured newspaper space by renaming their Bermondsey Street store based on the "who's for coffee? You for coffee?" joke. The old ones aren't always the best.

The art gallery over the road had an issue straight away, as did any local Londoners with kids blissfully unaware of the expletive prior to seeing the coffee shop. It was designed for the purposes of shock and awe and it's definitely a memorable name, but what goes up must come down.

The dastardly landlord of the building housing the shop went all legal on them and issued a letter threatening eviction unless the sign was removed. Boo, hiss. The pantomime is set to continue, as the shop has removed just one letter of the sign and replaced it with an asterisk.

As the name is now censored, perhaps it will be allowed to remain. If not, we expect the addition of another asterisk should do it. If they've successfully evaded eviction, the chain will need to dig deep in the search for a new headline-grabber. Maybe they should hook up with Freddy Starr for inspiration.

Asides from a visit from the overly-and-unnecessarily-longwinded-name-police, we're pretty safe at The Little Coffee Company. Our hearts do go out though - and this whole sorry affair should serve as a serious warning - to the Scunthorpe Post Office.