Leeds café owner ordered to tear down planters outside — then is billed for solicitor's fee

Abdul Arik owns La Petite Delicatessen on Street Lane in Roundhay, and decided to improve the outside space with planters and ornaments following the area's Christmas lights switch on.

He also said the greenery would help to absorb emissions from the hundreds of vehicles passing through Roundhay past his shop everyday.

But shortly after, Abdul was told he had to pull everything down after his landlord sought legal advice.

Now the 50-year-old has been sent a £1,500 bill for the advice.

Abdul, who is originally from Turkey and is known as 'Dino' by residents, said he had simply wanted to make a "nice space" for his customers to sit outside the deli and coffee shop.

"The landlord sent me a letter asking em to remove it," he said.

"I didn't know I needed consent to put greenery there on land that I am leasing."

Abdul was forced to pull the small garden area down within two weeks of the letter being sent at the end of January, which he did.

But two days later, he received the bill from legal firm Addleshaw Goddard.

Abdul continued: "I understand I made a mistake, but I'm a human being. I just don't see why we can't sort these things out human to human first.

"The world needs more plants. We need them to create oxygen.

"All people seem to care about is money and cars and getting rich."

A spokeswoman on behalf of the café's landlord told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "The land in Mr Arik's lease only includes the land to the front of the café, and not to the side.

"According to the terms of the lease, the café has breached their lease by placing street furniture onto this land, which is effectively trespassing. The landlord sought legal advice over this and acted upon it."