Pub's parking plea to tackle road safety

A pub in Leeds came up with a one-off idea to refuse service to drivers parked badly nearby in an effort to make streets safer.

The one-day experiment by the The Myrtle Tavern in Meanwood took place on Friday 19 July as five local schools broke up and a cricket match took place at a neighbouring club.

The pub used its Facebook page to urge people to get a taxi or walk and said it would decline service to “anyone found to be parking on nearby roads in an unsafe or unfair manner”.

Manager Scott Westlake said he had got a positive reaction and the scheme didn’t stop sales “flying”.

He said customers were supportive of the move and everyone wanted to make sure that pub users and the wider community did their bit to help people be able to get around.

“It affects access – there was a delivery wagon that wasn’t able to get through to a residential property the other day,” Mr Westlake said.

The landlord, who has a camera system in the pub’s car park, said he found using Facebook an effective way of communicating his message to people.

“We do use our social media to be blunt and honest. We’re not soft. If we’ve got an issue we will let people know," he added.

Clarification 25 July 2024: This story was clarified to reflect that the experiment was for one day rather than ongoing.