The argy-bhaji between an Indian restaurateur and the council over a pavement shows no signs of being resolved.

While thousands of pounds were spent converting part of the Vine Bar and Grill in Ombersley Road into a curry house last April, it has never been opened.

All because of a condition in the planning permission given to its owner Tim Sandhu by Worcester City Council.

When Mr Sandhu asked to be allowed to turn part of the pub into a restaurant he was asked by planners to improve the state of the pavements outside.

The advice from the Highways department was that normally Mr Sandhu would be asked to improve parking provision but “in the context of ‘a neighbourhood pub’ where it is anticipated that most customers will use non-car modes of transport, and specifically to make walking more attractive,” it was better that he spent money on improving the footpath at the corner of Ombersley Road and Vine Street.

But Mr Sandhu said that would cost him £90,000, a sum he couldn’t afford, and while his restaurant has been ready for months he’s just had to look at it standing empty.

He said: “We’re no further forward – the problem still remains.

“The pub is open and we do bar food and I’ve used the restaurant very occasionally for special events and things like that- but as an Indian restaurant, it’s never opened.

“I’ve been in touch with my county councillor Andy Stafford and Robin Walker, but nothing has happened. This is a major obstacle that I don’t seem to be able to overcome”

A Worcester City Council spokesman said: “The planning permission Mr Sandhu was given included a condition that the pavement be improved before the restaurant could be opened. This was agreed with the county council as the highways authority, and Mr Sandhu would have been aware of it at the time permission was approved.

“Mr Sandhu has the right to apply for the condition to be changed or removed. If he did this and was not successful, he would then have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.”

Mr Sandhu said that he would be making that his top priority in the New Year - but he had better be quick. Planning permission is normally granted for three years and work needs to start within that period. As the original permission was granted in March 2015, it will expire in March next year.