A VIETNAMESE restaurant that sparked furious complaints from neighbours over cooking smells has been ordered to close.
The Vietnam Food and Coffee Shop in Edinburgh became the focus of a probe after locals complained about smells overpowering their homes.
A VIETNAMESE restaurant that sparked furious complaints from neighbours over cooking smells has been ordered to close[/caption]
One neighbour claimed he was suffering from the stench on a daily basis for over a year and that the problem was impacting his mental health.
Another said the business was having a “substantial negative impact” on himself and his family and forced him to abandon his living room.
The City of Edinburgh Council ruled the restaurant had caused ‘odour nuisance’ to residents and ordered it to be shut down.
Owner Kim Dinh appealed the decision to the Scottish Government who have now upheld the original ruling.
One resident said: “Having to be in the position of explaining to visitors or guests why there is a ‘bad smell’ time and time again is embarrassing, frustrating and unfair when this should quite simply not be in use as a restaurant.
“At times, we are faced with making the decision to heat the home and bear with the smells or leave windows open and be cold.
“The fact that this issue has persisted for well over 12 months is mentally draining and stressful.”
A fellow neighbour added: “Our main living space is directly above where food is cooked and prepared.
“Both the ventilation and construct of respective walls and ceilings are insufficient to contain the effluvia, as a consequence of which our main living area has parity with the smell of a Vietnamese kitchen.
“It’s without exaggeration that the operation of this business has had a substantial negative impact on myself and my family.”
They added: “Neither myself, my wife or children can tolerate the smell that envelopes the living area.
“This has had a detrimental impact on family life as there is no shared family space other than our kitchen.
“Our boys retire to their bedrooms every evening. Similarly, my wife and I are resigned to watching TV from our own bedroom.”
An appeal document for Dinh said: “The Vietnam Food and Coffee Shop is not just a business but a vital source of livelihood for a family supporting a disabled child.
“The enforcement notice and subsequent closure have caused significant financial and emotional strain on the family.
“The business has also become a valued part of the community, offered authentic cultural cuisine and supported the local economy.”
Dinh pledged to work with an ‘odour control plan’ to increase ventilation in a bid to remain open.
The council said: “The use as a restaurant has resulted in odour nuisance being evident in the residential flats located above the premises and has resulted in the matter being brought to the attention of planning enforcement.”
Government reporter Trudi Craggs upheld the council decision.
