THE OWNER of a popular Indian restaurant who planned to introduce parking charges to stop people using his car park has changed his mind following an online backlash.

Miron Rahman, owner of Dil Raj in Dodworth, said he was ‘fed up’ of people using his car park to access neighbouring businesses outside of the restaurant’s opening hours.

“I have allowed anyone to park in my car park for 15 years but things have changed,” Miron said.

“Recently every time I have come back to the restaurant the car park is full and it is affecting my customers. People are leaving their cars overnight.

“I was fed up, it is my car park, I repair everything and I was not getting any benefit out of it.”

Miron sent out letters stating parking charges would be coming into force between 9am and 5.30pm, with customers only after 5.30pm.

The letters also stated wheel clamping would be in effect a practice which is now illegal on privately-owned land after the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

Miron said the plans were not set in stone, and after constructive talks with Coun Neil Wright, he said he would no longer be implementing the charges.

Coun Wright said: “He’s had a lot of bad publicity on Facebook. I wanted to get involved and start negotiations, and I’ve listened to concerns from businesses on the high street and rung some residents and it’s now resolved.

“In negotiations there has to be compromise, and the compromise is that Mr Rahman will renege on his decision to charge for parking.

“He has done that on the understanding that local business owners will put a few cards in their shops and take down the Facebook posts that are causing him bad publicity.

“I can also say that he has agreed to be involved in Dodworth’s Christmas event.”

Miron added: “I have said to people if they are concerned to come to me directly, don’t just go on Facebook.

“I want to carry on being a part of the community and we need to help each other.”