Council bosses deny racism allegations against Larkhall takeaway

Feb 4 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

COUNCIL bosses this week rubbished allegations of racism levelled against them by the owners of a new Indian restaurant in Larkhall.

Three weeks ago the Parnez family opened the Madras Cottage in the town’s Church Street.

The premises were formerly the Handhi Authentic Indian Restaurant.

Family members thought they did not require council permission for the new venture because the Church Street premises had already been serving hot food.

But officials discovered the Madras Cottage was operating without consent, and that sparked a furious reaction from spokesman Raz Parnez.

He claimed that the family had done nothing wrong and said: “There was no change of use and as far are we were concerned we had all our procedures in place.

“We feel the council representatives were racist against the whole family.

“They came in here and picked on us.

“Their racist attitude was terrible and they treated us like a piece of dirt.

“They didn’t have to come in and talk down to us.

“They don’t want us here and have a grudge against us. They are making it very difficult for us. It is victimisation.”

The family previously owned the Madras Cottage in Raploch Street.

Their premises there had to be demolished – as a matter of public safety – in 2008. The family claim that they lost a business valued at £500,000.

The original Madras Cottage, along with a hairdressing salon Hair Studio and several other properties, were razed to the ground after a compulsory demolition order was served on the block.

At the time, Mr Parnez said he couldn’t understand why the block had to be knocked down as he claimed there was no structural problem.

He added: “They closed us down in Raploch Street and they are trying to close us down again.

“They told us that when they closed us down in Raploch Street because the building wasn’t safe and they would help us relocate. “But we haven’t had any help from the council.”

His brother Zac Parnez added: “We just want to get on with running our business but the council won’t leave us alone and are giving us a hard time.

“We bought the premises in Raploch Street and it was valued at £500,000 and we got nothing back when it was knocked down.

“They are accusing us of selling alcohol. We have told them that we are not.”

Mum Tavieer Parnez is furious at the way she alleges the council have treated her family

“When were closed down in Raploch Street we lost everything. My husband and my children lost their jobs. My husband has suffered ill-health.

“The council are picking us because we are taking court action against them.

“We will start a petition in Larkhall against what the council are doing if we have to.”

A council spokesman: “We totally refute any allegations of victimisation or racism.

“They are completely without foundation.

“It was brought to the council’s attention that the premises were operating as a hot food takeaway, and according to the council’s records, without consent.

“This therefore had to be investigated and our officers visited the premises, as is normal practice under planning and building standards regulations.

“Our investigations are ongoing and when complete, a report will be prepared and appropriate action taken if required.”