We’re furious after our Wetherspoons got rid of pub’s car park – it’s creating chaos so we’re fighting back

LOCALS are furious after their Wetherspoons got rid of its car park in favour of outdoor benches.

Bosses at The Whiffler in City View Road, Norwich, have blocked off the parking area and placed dozens of wooden benches across the tarmac.

But those living nearby say the change has caused chaos on nearby roads.

Drivers block pavements and road entrances in their efforts to park near the popular boozer.

Lacey Douglass, District councillor for Hellesdon South, told Sun Online there are 40 tables in front of the busy pub.

She added: "It's caused problems on the residential roads. It's on a crossroads directly off the ring road.

"Buses struggle to get through, you often find cars driving up on the path outside the shops opposite. I've been out canvassing and been brushed by a car wingmirror.

"It's dangerous. We're not saying the pub is at fault, but it has had an impact.

"There's no safe space to cross, the grass verges are all damaged. We just feel actually we should be looking at this."

Ms Douglass wants a double yellow line on one side of the road, to make sure emergency services have space to get through.

She said: "Something needs to change, we can't carry on like this. A major section of the ring road is closed so this is on the official diversion route.

"There are several buses a day going down there a day. If cars are parked on both sides you can't get emergency services through. And it's a rat run so it backs up. It's a tricky road."

Some 20 car parking spaces were lost to outdoor seating during the Covid-19 pandemic.

And this change was later made permanent.

Councillor Simon Jones claimed residents have been blocked from walking along the pavement.

He added: "Drivers can't turn into neighbouring roads."

He claimed the pub argued it wasn't just customers parking along the road.

"They also argue that a lot of people walk, rather than drive," he added.

A Wetherspoons spokesman said: "Wetherspoon is aware of local concerns regarding parking near the pub.

"A neighbourhood meeting has been arranged for 22 August 2023 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.”