Security guards prevented more protestors from getting into the store but the decision to close was taken at around 16:00 with the doors shut for more than an hour. Louis Vuitton’s security shutters were also closed as protestors tried to smash the door.
Some customers inside the premises were prevented from leaving but the security shutter was regularly opened to allow police to escort many customers out. However, those inside who were wearing fur were held back for their own protection.
London has seen fewer anti-fur protests in recent years as public opinion has turned against the material and fewer people are seen wearing the material on the streets. Most stores that sell fur items now do so fairly discreetly.
But there has been an increase in the use of fur on the runways and more fur is now being sold in London’s designer stores, even if it doesn’t get into store windows or ad campaigns. The city is a key shopping destination for consumers from countries where anti-fur sentiment is lower and there are still occasional clashes with anti-fur campaigners.