1 day Ago
Plans to create an outdoor seating area at a seafront restaurant have prompted strong reactions from neighbours. The proposal to put up screens for outdoor seating at Pizza King, at 42 King's Road, on the Brighton seafront, has led to several objections. The restaurant's owner, Samir Salama, says he's aiming to follow the example of Burger King next door, which already has a similar setup.
Mr Salama said: "Our border will be of similar nature to what Burger King already has. "It would be a border around the shop, just like Burger King has adjacent to us, for outdoor seating." Burger King next door has a seating area (Image: Google) However, the tenant of The Rock Shop, next door at 41 King's Road, shared concerns.
The tenant stated: "In the plans, an A-board is shown. This is placed well outside the permitted limits given by the council. "I expect written confirmation in any decision that this board is not permitted and no boards of any description can be placed beyond the new screen.
"With four premises within that area all keeping to within council-imposed boundaries, giving permission to put A-boards so far out into the pathway will block the pavement completely." Commenters have objected to an A-board included in the drawings (Image: RDA1) The Rock Shop tenant also mentioned having to ask restaurant workers to move boards from their property daily, and sought assurance that all fixtures would be within Pizza King's boundary. READ NEXT: Injured seal rescued from beach - then given adorable new name They wrote: "The Rock Shop has to complain daily to the workers in the restaurant to move the current boards that are placed within the property of 41 Kings Road.
"I need assurance that all floor fixings will be within the boundary of 42 Kings Road." Another neighbour was also concerned about the congestion of the walkway, writing: "The pavement will become too narrow at that point causing congestion and great difficulty, with people passing by each other too close to the road." The proposed external screening (Image: Samir Salama) A third objector echoed these concerns, saying: "I urge planners to consider the serious implications for public safety, accessibility, and licensing compliance.
"The pavement at this location is already very narrow. "Introducing an A-board here would further restrict pedestrian movement, making it difficult—or even impossible—for wheelchair users, people with buggies, or groups to pass safely." READ NEXT: Water gardening and aquatic centre in Sussex up for sale The objector thought the proposals would lead to "violent incidents", writing: "During late-night hours, this stretch of King's Road sees heavy foot traffic from revellers, many of whom may be intoxicated.
"In such tight and obstructed conditions, bumping and jostling are inevitable, creating a real risk of confrontation or even violent incidents." The plans can be viewed using the reference BH2024/02650..
