A CURRY house which had to bring in parking restrictions has reassured customers they are fine to leave their cars.

Confused Balti Mahal customers believe they can only park in its car park on Astwood Road for 20 minutes leading to a drop in diners.

But the rules were brought in to make it easier for diners to park after people were dumping their car but not visiting the shop.

The 20-minute restriction only applies to Premier shop customers with Balti Mahal customers able to enter their car registration inside the Astwood Road restaurant.

Restauranteur Saiful Islam said: "It has caused a bit of confusion and misunderstanding but the rules were brought in for local residents and shoppers.

"This is a private car park which belongs to Balti Mahal and Primo Pizza but people thought it was a public car park.

"We had a few arguments and incidents about this so we brought in a parking management company with cameras monitoring the site.

"If you are parking here to come to the restaurant you can come in and put your registration into the tablet then you are okay for the whole day.

"The car park used to be full and our customers couldn't get spaces and I was losing business - we're only a small business.

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"Our customers can park, there are plenty of spaces and they can dine or pick up takeaways with peace of mind.

"Once they put their registration in the tablet their car is safe for the night.

"People though are scared of the cameras and we have lost business but we want to put their mind at ease."

Balti Mahal was named as one of the best Indian restaurants in Worcestershire by lifestyle magazine, LUXlife.

Last year, the sixth annual Food and Drink Awards named it as one of the local eateries which have shown "an unwavering commitment to excellence within their field".

Balti Mahal has already been named among the best restaurants in the country for 2021, with the Good Food Awards recognising the business for its "exceptional" levels of food quality, customer reviews, and hygiene ratings.

It has also been shortlisted for the same award for 2023.