Plans to convert former village post office into restaurant expansion amid parking concerns

A restaurant is proposing to expand into a former village post office.

Abdal's Kitchen started two years ago and has earned mention by Grimsby Live readers as one of the best curry houses in northern Lincolnshire. It is now looking to expand and take up the space of the former post office in Ulceby.

An objection has been made to the Spruce Lane restaurant's expansion plans, however. Ulceby Road Safety Group claims there have been parking issues ever since the restaurant opened at the site of the former Co-op in Spruce Lane, at the crossroads with High Street, Abbey Road and Front Street.

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If approved, the restaurant's kitchen would be expanded, taking up former post office staff room space. The rest of the former post office would be turned into a dining area, with an indicative drawing of nine tables of four seats each. The application says Abdal's Kitchen employs ten people currently, and would increase to 12 with the expansion.

The post office is currently vacant. The Indian restaurant took over the former Co-op store site in 2022, going through an alcohol licence process that went to a council meeting to be decided on after representations.

"We strongly object to any expansion of this business due to the parking issues that any extra covers would require," Ulceby Road Safety Action Group submitted.

A traffic regulation order (TRO) was issued by North Lincolnshire Council in October 2023 to restrict parking in Spruce Lane alongside the address directly opposite the restaurant to no waiting at any time. "The parking has been unbelievable," said Stuart Smith, of the Ulceby Road Safety Group. He reported that parking enforcement had worked overtime because of 'illegal parking' in a disabled bay, on double yellow lines and within zigzag lines.

He added he believed the TRO will simply move the problem further up the road. Mr Smith said the group intends to make a representation about parking when the restaurant's next alcohol licence renewal is due.

A linked application has also been made for an internal advertisement sign in the restaurant. This has also had a resident raise parking concerns.