Stefan Markovic, co-owner of Norwich VR Escape Room, has successfully operated his virtual reality game business in Oak Street for three years.
But in June he received a letter from Norwich City Council saying decking outside the building had to be removed within three months.
The row started over the business’ decking (Image: Stefan Markovic)
Now the row has escalated with the council threatening to shut down the business completely.
This would mean nine people would lose their jobs.
WHY IS THE BUSINESS UNDER THREAT?
Stefan said he received a letter from the council saying that he doesn’t have the right planning permission for the business, which provides a virtual reality escape room experience for customers.
He said: “The council said we should have put in a change of use application for the business.
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“However it was already under the Class E use which is a broader category for commercial, business and services, so we just cracked on with things.
“We spoke to the planning inspectorate, who said we’ve got good grounds for an appeal.
“So we’ve gone through the appeal process and are waiting on a date for the hearing.
“We’re going in with support from our neighbours and the petition about the decking, which now has more than 1,000 signatures.
“Obviously I’m worried for the staff, depending on what happens at the hearing, but I’m hopeful that we’ll come out on top.
“We’ve abided by all the regulations along the way and for what’s in front of us.”
WHAT DOES THE COUNCIL SAY?
A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said: “We have served an enforcement notice against various breaches of planning control.
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“As there is an appeal which is currently under consideration by the planning inspectorate, we’re not able to comment in further detail at this time.”
WHAT WAS THE ROW ORIGINALLY ABOUT?
In June Stefan received a letter from the council stating that he needed to remove decking outside the business’ building as it “fails to enhance the appearance and character of the conservation area”.
At the time the business owner said he wouldn’t go down without a fight.
He said: “We added the decking within the first year we were here, it was one of the first jobs we had.
“I think it’s madness.
“I appreciate it’s in a conservation area but if it used to be a concrete wasteland before we added it.
“There used to be lots of drug users and vagrants along the river before, but since we introduced the decking it’s stopped.
“It also provides level footing now to the fire escape for us and the business next door – so there’s a safety aspect as well.
“As far as we’re aware we didn’t have to worry about planning permission at the time because it’s not a permanent structure and doesn’t take up more than 50pc of garden area.
“I don’t understand why the council seem to go after small businesses.
“It’s like they don’t want us to thrive, progress or make a living, despite their preaching about helping businesses in the city.
“We will fight to keep it.”
WHAT IS A VR ESCAPE ROOM?
A virtual reality escape room uses technology to create an environment that can resemble the real world as much or as little as desired.
Customers wear headsets that cover their eyes and ears, which fully immerses them into the virtual world.
They then solve a series of puzzles which allows them to then ‘escape’ the virtual world.