A gran's 13-year battle to remove five large telecom boxes from outside her Caribbean restaurant has finally reached the hallowed halls of Parliament.
Debbie Monfries, 64, claims the towering boxes, some reaching 6ft in height, have "ruined" passing trade at Umana Yana in Herne Hill, south London, as they block potential customers' view of her establishment.
She alleges that her takings took a hit immediately after their installation in 2012 and has since been on a mission with Southwark Council to get them removed.
Despite her efforts, in October, the grandmother-of-six was dealt a blow when she was informed the boxes were there to stay, sparking fears she might have to shut down her beloved eatery.
However, hope was reignited on Wednesday (February 12) when Dulwich and West Norwood MP Helen Hayes presented a petition in the House of Commons for the removal of the boxes. Ms Hayes praised the restaurant, saying: "The petition is in support of a restaurant called Umana Yana in Herne Hill, in my constituency.
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"It is a wonderful restaurant run by Deborah Monfries and her family, who are in the Public Gallery today.
"Deborah’s restaurant serves delicious Guyanese food and I would commend it to all Members in the House.
"However, it has suffered a detriment in recent years as a consequence of the installation of enormous telecommunications cabinets that obscure the view of the restaurant for passing customers.
"The petitioners therefore urge the government to bring forward legislation to ensure small businesses are not blocked from view by telecommunications equipment, to ensure the removal of equipment affecting small businesses like Umana Yana, and to ensure that businesses are duly compensated by the telecoms companies for disruption."
She added that the petition had been signed by more than 1,700 locals. Debbie, from Croydon, claims her health has deteriorated over the last ten years due to the stress of the situation, culminating in a heart attack in 2020.
She previously stated: "Before the boxes were installed, our annual revenue was between ￡70,000 and ￡80,000. After they were put there, it dropped to around ￡30,000.
"This was almost immediate. There was a clear link.
"The boxes block the restaurant from view. We used to depend on passing trade, but now, no potential customers can see the restaurant.
"We've never been able to recover from it. It's been so stressful.
"In 2020, things got tough. I couldn't afford rising bills - and the boxes were ruining business. I had a heart attack.
"It was really, really hard. It's emotional to think about."
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Ever since the boxes were first installed outside Umana Yana, Debbie has waged a relentless battle for their removal. She has initiated petitions, reached out to politicians, and even made her case at the Council Assembly, yet Southwark Council only provided her with a definitive response on October 8 – a full 12 years after the boxes first appeared.
Southwark Council has admitted that they have been attempting to find a solution for "a number of years", but under government regulations, telecom companies are allowed to install their boxes without obtaining planning permission from local authorities.
During a planning committee meeting, one council officer confessed it was the "worst case" he'd ever encountered, according to Southwark News.
However, when questioned if the council would be removing them, he responded with a firm "no", insisting they had been installed "lawfully."
Since sharing her ordeal on social media, Debbie has been inundated with support from fellow Londoners, including renowned rapper Central Cee, who generously donated ￡15,000 to assist her.
Debbie also expressed her gratitude towards local residents for their overwhelming support. She stated: "The customers who know about me support me and love the restaurant.
"I was born in Guyana and so I cook authentic Guyanese food. When I started, I was filling a gap in the London market. I just hope I can continue to do so."
The government now has two months to consider the petition for Umana Yana.
Previously commenting on the situation, Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes & Sustainable Development at Southwark Council, said: "We have been in support of the Umana Yana campaign - trying to facilitate a resolution with the telecom companies over a number of years whereby they remove their boxes.
" - but claimed that under government rules, telecom companies can install their boxes without planning permission from councils. At a planning committee meeting, a council officer admitted that it was the ".
"Since trying to help facilitate between all parties, we have always been clear that the boxes were lawfully installed and we join others in calling for councils to be given more power to act in these situations.
"Different routes we have explored over the years have included looking into a mediator and advertising Umana Yana on the boxes with the telecom companies’ consent.
"We have every sympathy for Umana Yana’s owner, which is why we put forward an Article 4 motion.
"This requires telecom companies to ask us for planning permission to install their boxes, masts, and similar structures at this location, including any replacements."