Family restaurant facing closure because man ‘keeps parking’ out front | UK News

A restaurant in Wales may be forced to close because of an escalating argument over parking. 

Raj Patel, whose family runs the popular Vegetarian Food Studio in Cardiff’s Grangetown district, says recent changes to parking in the area have allowed a neighbour to park his vans outside the business. 

This has allegedly prevented customers from being able to park along the stretch of road outside the restaurant, as well as creating a headache for deliveries of supplies for the kitchen. 

Mr Patel, whose restaurant has won recognition from national newspapers like the Guardian and Sunday Times, told WalesOnline: ‘If it carries on like this, we will have to shut it down and 12 people will be out of a job.’

Earlier in August, the local council chose to retarmac the street due to the Welsh government requiring the removal of 20mph markings ahead of this becoming the default speed limit. 

Since the work took place, the council has yet to repaint the double yellow lines on one side of the street, meaning the restrictions cannot be enforced. 

An unknown culprit has also removed the signs displaying legal hours of parking for the single yellow lined space on the other side of the street, so restrictions can’t be enforced there either.

Mr Patel explains that neighbour Zia Gehlan, owner of refrigerator company Chill Out, has taken to leaving his three work vans and four cars in the parking spots, sometimes for weeks on end. 

Speaking to WalesOnline, Mr Gehlan said he intends to keep using these areas for his vehicles until the lines are repainted and the sign replaced, adding that road-narrowing sections of greenery on other streets nearby has reduced the amount of available parking in the area. 

He said: ‘We are paying for parking permits and we have nowhere to park. I’m using that space by legal rights. What the council should be doing is allowing either customers or residents to park there.’

Mr Patel also ultimately holds the council responsible for the chaos. In reference to his top hygiene food rating, he said: ‘They award me this because we have excellent standards and then they do this. Our business is at a standstill. I’m getting really fed up.’

He has reportedly also threatened to stop paying council tax until the issue is resolved.

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