main content Restaurant’s pavement obstruction was not a mirage!

An Orpington restaurant owner has been prosecuted for obstructing the footway with two advertising boards. Trading as Mirage Restaurant, Mr Can Hussein Ali failed to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court. The matter was proved in his absence and he was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £515.

“Placing advertising boards or any unlicensed item on the pavement not only causes issues for pedestrians, but it is illegal. Unfortunately, despite being warned that the advertising boards were obstructing the footway and that they could be prosecuted for the offence, the restaurant failed to remove them” said Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager.

It emerged in court that during a routine inspection in July 2007, a council enforcement officer found two large advertising boards placed on the pavement outside the Orpington High Street restaurant. A letter had been sent to the restaurant only the week before warning of the offence and requesting removal of the advertising boards. Prosecution followed after a subsequent inspection revealed the boards were still in place.

To report an obstruction or unauthorised advertising on the highway, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/neatstreet or call the Street Services help desk on 020 8313 4621.


ENDS

Notes to editors:

• The case was heard at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on 3rd January 2008.
• Mr Can Hussein Ali, trading as Mirage Restaurant, was ordered to pay a fine of £300, costs of £200 and a £15 surcharge.

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901. 

Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk