Lismore business threatens to close due to unsafe footpath

CARRINGTON St business owners are looking to relocate due to safety concerns for pedestrians walking past reverse angle parkers.

Little Delhi co-owners Chris and Gail Warid are concerned by the lack of space on the footpath when cars overstep the car park in front of their store along Carrington Street. Picture: Marc Stapelberg

CARRINGTON St business owners are looking to relocate due to safety concerns for pedestrians walking past reverse angle parkers.

Chris and Gail Warid of Little Delhi watch on from their shop each day as people reverse into spaces with the backs of their cars overhanging the path while pedestrians walk by.

Mr and Mrs Warid also ended their breakfast service this week amid concerns that exhaust fumes were ruining the outdoor dining experience and threatening patrons' health.

Mr Gail said he would like to see two carparks removed and replaced with one parallel park, or concrete bumpers installed, to keep the path clear.

"We wanted to combine the two carparks and make it one parallel park, because what's happening is people don't park properly so if we have motorhomes coming in, for example, they push right against the (awning)," he said.

"And if it's parallel parking the cars can't blow smoke into the shop."

Mrs Warid said she is especially concerned now as foot traffic has increased over the last six months.

"It's become a lot busier and I've often had to run out, almost shouting at a car reversing up, to be careful because people are walking," she said.

The Little Delhi Indian restaurant, on Carrington St near the corner of Magellan St, has been open for three years.

"We've been really fighting to get our business through the hard start, and it's something unique to Lismore, it's offering very authentic curries," Mrs Warid said.

"The outdoor seating is stopping our business from growing."

The business owners began serving breakfast about three months ago and this week decided to cancel the menu because they had to turn away customers.

"It's heartbreaking for us that people have to walk away but there's no seats for them," Mr Warid said.

"It's the culture here, outdoor seating, people might want a coffee and to sit there all day."

"All we could offer is three little tables in front of the window where cars are reversing up with their fumes," Mrs Warid said.

Mr Warid said they could relocate, however the location was otherwise perfect.

"We could move somewhere else but I don't really want to do that ... we've been local since Gail was 12-years-old and I've been here for 25 years," he said.

"This place fits in well with the rest of the businesses on this street."