13 August 2023 , 10:42
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A parking dispute has broken out between Norwich residents and the local Wetherspoons after they claim they were left trapped in their own homes by pub-goers blocking paths and roads with their cars.
The Whiffler, Norwich, cut 20 of its car parking spaces during the pandemic to make way for a bigger outdoor seating area. The pub then decided to keep the larger outside space permanently in a move that locals say has forced punters to park on nearby streets and pavements.
Homeowners say they have left unable to access their driveways due to the “inconsiderate” parking and one resident has moved out of his home due to the issue. Peter Mclean, who lives on nearby Hercules Road, said: "It's out of order.
"People are parking on both sides of our street and sometimes we can't walk down the pavement. A lot of residents have been boxed in and out of their driveways because of people blocking the entrance. One person even decided to move because of it."
A notice has now been put up asking pub-goers to be more considerate of the neighbourhood. Another Hercules Road homeowner said: "We have had the police out a couple of times. A van was dangerously parked on the nearby corner with a trailer. The police came and found the driver in the pub. Friday evenings are the worst, but it's bad during the whole week."
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Residents are being trapped in their homes as "inconsiderate" patrons of a nearby pub continue to block paths and roads with their cars. (Norwich Evening News / SWNS)District councillors for Hellesdon South, Lacey Douglass and Simon Jones, are to hold a meeting with the Wetherspoons pub to try and ease residents' concerns. Locals have also been sent a letter by Wetherspoons inviting them to share their concerns at a public meeting, August 22. One proposal mooted has been to convert land round the back of the pub to more parking spaces as well as painting double yellow lines on surrounding roads.
"I've got nothing against the pub and I want them to succeed," said Sophie Larke, who lives in Coronation Road. "But it's a shame some of their customers are so inconsiderate. It's horrendous. Sometimes I have to walk in the road while taking my child to school because they are parked outside our house or blocking the driveway."
A spokesman for Wetherspoons said: "We are aware of local concerns regarding parking near the pub. A neighbourhood meeting has been arranged for, August 22, between representatives from the company, local ward councillors, the licensing officer and local residents to discuss the issue, including to what extent it is caused by customers using the pub and whether the addition of double yellow lines on the roads in question could help."