River Park Project: Elai lays off staff and warns of uncertain future

Elai, at Mill Stream Approach, will not survive another month of delays after July according to co-owner Unni Bala.

The 50-year-old has appealed to the people of Salisbury to show their support for the business as its future is uncertain.

Since work associated with the River Park Project began, and subsequently spread to the coach park, the South Indian restaurant has been seeing fewer customers each week.

It has now reached a point where Elai's turnover has halved yet the business is still forced to pay full rent, rates and bills.

Unni Bala said Elai can withstand a delay of one month before closure is considered. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Bala blames this shortfall on the project as car parking has disappeared, a 'road closed' sign appeared on Castle Street leading to the restaurant and Elai became the only business trading in the area.

KIER, the contractor employed by the Environment Agency to complete the £27m project, announced on Thursday, May 16, that the completion date of Salisbury Coach Park had been pushed back by two months.

The scheme has been funded by the Government to reduce the city's risk of flooding but the project has been delayed until July due to wet weather.

Read more: ​River Park Project update: Coach park delayed due to flooding

Two weeks into a soggy January, Elai took a "big hit" as Millstream Approach was closed.

"People didn't realise the area wasn't closed completely. If they think the road is closed they won't make the journey to see we're open," Mr Bala said.

Trade at Elai has fallen by 50 per cent after disruptive works to Salisbury Coach Park began. (Image: Newsquest)

Four part-time staff members, who moved to Salisbury from India to work weekends and busy weekdays, were made redundant after it became clear the business was losing money.

Mr Bala has pleaded with his landlord, Wiltshire Council, the Environment Agency and even highways officers but feels he has "tried all the gates and nothing has opened".

He said: "We need more support from the locals to get through this period. We're not thinking negatively but this is affecting us.

"Customers feel sorry for us but they also say when the work is finished we will be a good restaurant."

Elai is a south Indian restaurant in Mill Stream Approach. (Image: Newsquest)

Elai also operates in Basingstoke and Mr Bala said had the second restaurant not existed, Salisbury's establishment would not have survived as long as it has so far.

Mr Bala and business partner Nidhin Satheesan, 42, remain hopeful that trade will return to a sustainable level once the coach park reopens but until then they have urged people to "keep their good hearts" and support them through the hard times.

Elai is currently offering 25 per cent off food collected from the restaurant.