Grab your popcorn because some serious drama has been brewing between the residents and The Block 2023 cast and crew cohabitating on Charming Street in Melbourne’s Hampton East.
Tension has been rising for the past few months after the filming crew left a pompous letter to residents of the neighbourhood asking them to keep their cars parked off the street.
And things aren’t getting any better, it seems. Now, locals have been outraged that the pop-up McCafé on their street has stopped serving them free coffee. Talk about diva behaviour!
The makeshift McDonald’s cafe is built on the verandah of one of the homes that are being renovated for The Block 2023. It had previously been open for the preceding seven weeks as they dished out free brews to tradies and locals.
However, according to reports, the Bayside Council told McDonald’s workers to immediately stop serving members of the public.
“The council said McDonald’s is not allowed to serve the neighbours because someone snitched to the council. So one person has effectively closed it down for everyone,” the insider dished.
On May 15, the McCafé stall was only serving drinks to tradies. As such, neighbours were outraged at the decision to ban them from getting free drinks. Yikes.
“It was a great meeting point to not only catch up with other neighbours but to talk to the workers and find out what was happening with The Block,” a resident told one news outlet.
Another neighbour said that it was a “real shame” that “someone…ruined it for all of [them].”
The neighbour who complained about the McCafe stand comes forward
The neighbour who started this whole scandal claimed that he’d complained to the council because the makeshift coffee stall was erected without a permit.
However, he later said the council told him that the pop-up didn’t require a permit. This is because it was dishing out free products.
“This is because they are not selling coffee to customers. If there is a monetary exchange, a planning permit may be required,” a Council spokesperson shared.
“In addition to this, the signage would not fall within business identification signage and would therefore not require a permit.”
The neighbour wasn’t having this, stating that they were unhappy with the commotion occurring on the street.
“So seems fair game I can rent out my front yard for a few months to a corporate entity for their advertising,” they suggested.
“Give away specials for free, erect signage and corporate branded umbrellas and not have to supply any insurance for the general public coming on my land in case they hurt or injure themselves.
“Would be a good side income for any Bayside resident knowing they can do this with their property.”
Ouch.
Residents complain as The Block‘s tradies ‘illegally’ park in front of their driveways
The McCafé drama comes after residents of Charming Street complained about The Block‘s tradies “illegally” blocking entry to their driveways.
On May 14, one of the street’s residents shared their dismay after a car was parked directly in front of their driveway.
The local shared a snap of a row of tradie vehicles parked along the street to the 2023 Charming Street ‘The Block’ Facebook page.
“This is moments after I had a go at The Block guys because a star had parked his car illegally again in the no-standing zone. And because there was a car parked on our side of the street, it was impossible for me to get in the driveway,” the resident wrote.
“If you know the area you’ll note the car was moved to another part of the no-standing area.
“This was all after I sent an email a few days [ago] to the builders and [executive producer] Julian Cress asking them to tell people not to do it. Come on guys…do better!” he added.
Fans flocked to the comments section to show their sympathy for the Charming Street local.
“I’ve had similar experiences with builders and tradies (not so much stars!) over the years. They think they can park wherever they want ‘cause they’re more important than the rest of us,” one person wrote.
“Send a photo to [the] council,” another remarked, while a third fan said it was “rude”.
The Block apologises to residents of Charming Street
Residents of Charming Street told Yahoo! Lifestyle that the parking incident has since been sorted out.
The Block’s producers have apologised for the reckless parking, assuring the neighbourhood that tradies will not be parking in “illegal” spots moving forward. Phew!
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