Ciao everyone,

I am Elia, the owner of Pizz-Elia, a newly-established pizzeria in Bents Green, Sheffield.

Last July I built a small decking area outside my shop (on my land, with my landlord's

permission) with the aim of attracting more people who would otherwise have passed by without noticing the restaurant.

However, the local council has demanded its removal because I did not seek planning permission. In my defense I would say that I acted naively thinking that because it's a removable structure (we have not anchored it to the floor) I would not have needed to go through the lengthy steps of obtaining planning permission. 

The issue is that the council, as they stated in their letter, will never approve any works in front of my restaurant "due to the visual impact on the street scene".

Many people love my decking and appreciate the welcoming atmosphere it fosters. It has not only become a symbol of communal unity but has also contributed to a noticeable increase in the sales of my shop.

The removal of this decking would detrimentally affect all of this.

To uphold the spirit of our community and the viability of local businesses, I urge everyone to take action to oppose the council's decision. Please sign this petition to demonstrate your support for our cherished decking and the small businesses of our community.

Grazie mille,

Elia