Wetherspoon criticised over Whiffler pub parking in Norwich

Folk living near Wetherspoon boozer The Whiffler are enraged that nothing has changed nine months after first raising concerns.

The Hellesdon pub, in Boundary Road, has been plagued by patrons parking on the pavement along City View Road since last August after getting rid of 20 parking spaces during the pandemic to expand its beer garden.

Parking along the road and on the junction next to The Whiffler is getting increasingly worse (Image: Contributed)

District councillor for Hellesdon South, Lacey Douglass, is growing impatient with Wetherspoon dragging its heels over a resolution. 

"The local residents and I have been trying to communicate with the bosses of The Whiffler for months and we are just being ignored," she said.

"Locals are contacting me two or three times a week with pictures of the dangerous parking outside the pub."

Lacey Douglass is a Broadland District Councillor for Hellesdon South (Image: Lacey Douglass)

Ms Douglass did receive a response from the pub group after escalating her complaints.

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"From speaking to the area manager, we are currently reviewing three proposed schemes in intricate detail with our external consultants and architects," read the email from a solicitor for JD Wetherspoon.

"Due to the work involved this has taken a little longer than expected. In the meantime, we are reviewing short-term solutions which can be implemented."

The Whiffler is north of Boundary Road (Image: Google)

However, similar promises were made by the pub group in January.

Ms Douglass added: "It is unacceptable that a company as large as JD Wetherspoon could have so much disregard for the local residents.

"It is a problem that just keeps getting worse."

Norfolk Police is also aware of the concerns over parking in Coronation Road and City View Road,

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A spokesman said: "There have been conversations and meetings held with local businesses, residents and the wider community about the impact inconsiderate parking has caused.

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"Regular patrols by beat managers are conducted to help tackle the issue, with words of advice, letters sent to registered owners, and Traffic Offence Reports issued where necessary to those whose parking is considered dangerous."

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We have employed planning and parking advisers who have suggested additional car parking to the rear of the pub. 

"The proposals will be drawn up in the next few weeks and we will share these with the local community."