THE OWNERS of a restaurant are lobbying the council to install parking signs in a nearby car park.

Shah Ali, 39, director of the Tandoori Parlour, in Hart Road, Thundersley, claims he is losing customers because they are unaware they can park for free after 7pm.

The council-run car park is free, but has a time limit of three hours during the day.

Mr Ali said: “We have been here since 1979, but the car park issue is becoming a problem for us. During the day, there is a three-hour limit to park, but after 7pm it is free.

“The problem is, it’s not clear and customers don’t know this. All we want is a sign put up, so customers are aware that after 7pm there is no exemption.”

Paul Varker, Ukip representative for Victoria Ward, said: “The Tandoori Parlour is losing customers because they are too scared to park there as they will be there for longer than three hours.

They just need to change the sign to make it clearer.”

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed there are no plans to provide extra signs in the car park.