Owners of a new American-style diner in Foleshill have been banned from trading - just two weeks after opening their doors.
Humayun Sheikh and his sons Amir and Usman spent £70,000 creating Howdeez diner, in Foleshill Road, Foleshill.
On Friday planning officers issued a month-long stop notice to prevent the ground floor takeaway and first floor restaurant trading.
The council said planning rules had been broken during a revamp of the building meaning too many seats have been included in the restaurant.
Humayun and his family deny making ‘‘large-scale changes’’ and have urged the council to reconsider its decision.
The landlord, Rois Ali, was granted planning permission six years ago when it was trading as Desi Grill. It later closed due to the economic slump.
Last year, Amir Sheikh, aged 22, expressed an interest in the premises and moved from his family home in London to Proffitt Avenue, Bell Green, in the hope of turning the diner into a success.
Amir said: “This is my first time in business and I can’t even serve food downstairs. Everyone is struggling but I thought the council would help us not make things worse.
“I’ve been working hard with my father and brother so we could save enough money for this place. I left my family in London to pursue my dream in Coventry and it’s been taken away from me.
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Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:45 pm