The Boxford looks to solve parking concerns after grand opening

A new restaurant is taking steps to address its parking concerns.

The Boxford, run by the team behind The Woodspeen, is a new-build restaurant which opened its doors to the public on November 17.

One resident called the restaurant a “wonderful asset” to the village, but others have complained of increased parking difficulties since the opening.

One resident contacted newburytoday and said: “The once peaceful village lifestyle has been changed significantly following the development and opening of the new restaurant.

“Driveways are blocked on a daily basis, with management stating that staff are not allowed to park in the car park so must park in residential areas.

“Even a builder’s car was left outside our properties for over a week broken down.

“Paths have been blocked and grass verges torn up in shoddy attempts of parking.”

But general manager Bert Leach assures residents these are “teething issues” and that he is taking “active steps” to improve the situation for all involved.

He said: “For people who live very close, there has been some disruption. We’ve been a lot busier than expected.

“This a brand-new thing; we’ve been open two-and-a-half weeks.

“There are going to be things which we did not consider.”

Mr Leach, who grew up in Welford and Bagnor and has family ties to Boxford, confirmed he is currently in conversation with restaurant management and West Berkshire Council about potential solutions and alternatives to this issue.

There are currently up to 20 parking bays, with a couple of extra parking spaces at the front of the venue, he added.

Nicky Pierce, clerk to Boxford Parish Council, said about the parking issues: “Boxford Parish Council is actively engaged with The Boxford to ensure the popularity of this new venue only has a positive impact for local residents.

“Everyone locally will recognise the weeks leading up to the opening were extremely busy with multiple contractors working on site, and this continues to be the case in the opening weeks as the final touches are applied.

“As such, this has had some immediate impact on the available parking at the venue.”

But Mr Pierce confirmed parking was deemed sufficient at the planning stage to support a venue of this size – with more parking available at the site than before.

He continued: “If people are blocking driveways, then this is not acceptable.

“But equally, bad parking is not the responsibility of The Boxford, which is working with the parish council on appropriate next steps.

“We will continue to monitor the situation over the next few weeks while this fantastic local venue settles into its everyday operation.”

The restaurant replaces the former Bell at Boxford on Lambourn Road.

Refurbishment at the site started earlier this year.

The Victorian pub was transformed into a new bar and restaurant and the 1980s annex into retained for use as back-of-house service area.