A restaurant boss has accused a neighbouring taxi firm of harming his business. Al Mirzaali, of Alfe’s in Church Street, Keighley, said his customers were facing parking problems due to Metro, based a few doors away.

“There is a car park behind the restaurant, but people are always getting blocked in because the taxi drivers just leave their vehicles across the access,” said Mr Mirzaali, owner of the Ranch company, incorporating Alfe’s. “When you ask them to move, they are begrudging about it and take their time. It is making things extremely difficult for us and is affecting the business. We are suffering.”

Metro owner Stuart Hastings said the problems arose after plans for a taxi business across the road were approved.

“Until then everything was fine,” he said. “Rather than complaining about us, he should be asking questions of those who allowed another firm to open. We’ve been here 37 years, long before Alfe’s.”