By Marijke Peters A RESTAURATEUR who was promised free parking is selling his business because of the constant clamping of his customers cars. Johnnie Mountain says he took over the Pumphouse building at New River Village on the condition that a car park

By Marijke Peters

A RESTAURATEUR who was promised free parking is selling his business because of the constant clamping of his customers' cars.

Johnnie Mountain says he took over the Pumphouse building at New River Village on the condition that a car park was put up by developers St James' Homes.

But three years later he has still not been given the spaces and claims his profits have dwindled as diners have stopped coming.

Mr Mountain said: "If St James' Homes treats me with such disrespect I'm going to shut up shop and move elsewhere.

"I feel like I've had my legs cut off by them, my business has gone down the drain and it's the parking that did it.

"We are a destination restaurant and if people can't leave their car here when they come to eat they just won't come."

The New River Village development cost £70million and included a mixture of private and social housing.

Mr Mountain, who owns the Mosaica restaurant in Tottenham's Chocolate Factory, says he bought the freehold to the red-bricked Pumphouse because he was promised a private car park.

A marketing suite at the entrance to the housing complex was due to be demolished and the area was earmarked for the 12 spaces.

But it has not been knocked down and instead St James' Homes has issued temporary permits so diners can park outside.

Mr Mountain says this is not good enough, and has put his restaurant on the market.

"The problem is that the clamping company which covers the area is so vigilant it will catch people out at any opportunity," he said.

"Customers look for visible signs but there are no yellow lines on the road. There's nothing to tell them they can't park there except little signs on some railings opposite."

A spokesman for St James' Homes said: "We have adhered to all clauses regarding parking, as stipulated in the original lease for The Pumphouse, and fulfilled the requirements as originally set out.

"We have provided the Pumphouse with parking facilities for its patrons to park within designated parking areas.

"It is the responsibility of the establishment to provide information on the correct parking procedures for its customers, to enable them to avoid prohibitive parking and therefore the clamping of their vehicles."

broadway@hamhigh.co.uk