Residents want to block ‘Friends’ couch from West Village block

The “Friends” couch might not be there for you.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the sitcom’s debut, producer Warner Bros. Television hopes to temporarily install a replica of the iconic orange sofa from the show’s Central Perk coffee shop, on a sidewalk near 90 Bedford St. — the exterior of which was used as the home of Monica, Rachel, Joey and Chandler.

“From what I understand, Warner Bros. wants to put a couch in front of 90 Bedford so fans can sit on the couch and take a picture with the building in the background,” said Joey Campanaro, owner of The Little Owl restaurant that is located at the address.

But locals view the publicity stunt, scheduled to begin Sept. 21, as The One That Shouldn’t Happen.

“That block [at the corner of Bedford and Grove] already gets too many tourists and it’s not capable of containing large crowds,” Joe Gallagher, a Greenwich Village resident and Community Board 2 member, told The Post.

“We have at least 400 tourists a day coming to look at that building. They take pictures all day and all night. I come outside and there’s 20 people hanging out on my stoop or taking a pee around the corner,” said Bedford Street resident Rezar Skoda. “To close off the street or a section of the sidewalk would make it crazy.”

Warner Bros. filed an application with the city’s Street Activity Permit office for a full sidewalk closure of Bedford between Barrow and Grove streets — but company reps were a no-show at the Aug. 12 Community Board 2 meeting.

Instead, seven local residents attended and expressed grave couch concerns.  One West Village resident called it a foolish and disruptive proposal. They argued the sidewalk is too narrow to contain the throngs of sofa-gazers.

Gallagher delivered an even worse diss to “Friends” fans: “There’s no real significance to that building . . . for it to disrupt the residents and businesses on that block.”

“The fact that they didn’t show up to the community board meeting is disrespectful to the neighborhood,” said restaurant owner Campanaro. “I’m glad the show is so popular. Good for them. I just don’t want them to do anything ­pirate-style, without a permit.”

A resolution to deny the event permit was unanimously ­adopted at the board meeting.

“We are excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ‘Friends’ in New York City next month,” a Warner Bros. Television spokesperson told The Post. “We were not aware of the community board meeting . . . or we would have absolutely been there to discuss the proposed event. We are hopeful we can still move forward with the permit and create a unique experience for fans.”

CB2’s denial of the event permit is only advisory; the application could still be approved by the Street Activity Permit office.

And if not, Campanaro has another idea: “I reached out to [Warner Bros.] and offered use of the interior of my restaurant.”

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