Wolverhampton Caribbean food store which opened without permission in bid to stay

A Jamaican food shop which opened in the garage adjoining a house in Wolverhampton without consent is seeking permission to continue trading.

The shop, known as Likkle Jamaica, opened a year ago in the garage attached to 9a Fourth Avenue in Low Hill.

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But no planning permission had been obtained, and property owner Michael Banga is now seeking retrospective permission to remain in place.

If permission is denied, enforcement action is likely to follow requiring him to cease trading and restore the garage to its original state.

Mr Banga is also seeking consent to install roller shutters on the front of the unit.

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Banga said he leased the building, including the garage, to a tenant who subsequently converted the garage into a food shop.

“No food is cooked at the premises and the shop is solely used for selling food and drink items,” it said.

It said the adjoining shops were also owned by Mr Banga.

“Our retrospective proposal was to utilise the space to benefit the demand in the area for Caribbean food,” it said.

“It is important to our clients that the retrospective proposal is in keeping with the existing property and their detailing to match the surrounding properties. There will be an external roller shutter fitted to the front for deliveries and security however parking will be at the front of the shop where there is parking facilities.”

The proposals will now be considered by planning officers.