An unauthorised rooftop food court in Walsall, located on the top deck of an Asda car park, has been likened to the Grenfell Tower tragedy due to serious fire safety breaches. Members of Walsall Council's planning committee unanimously refused planning permission for the Rooftop Food Court at George Street multi-storey car park.
Fire Safety Concerns
Planning committee members heard that several fire exits at the site were blocked. One exit was secured with cable ties, another had a steel plate screwed across it, and a third was blocked by a roller shutter. Councillor Mike Bird, chairman of the planning committee and leader of the council, stated: “One word: Grenfell.”
Illegal Drainage System
The committee also learned that a foul drainage system for fats and grease had been illegally connected to the council's surface highway drain. A private drainage consultant described the workmanship as the “worst they’d seen in 45 years.”
Operation Without Permission
The Rooftop Food Court, situated on the fourth storey of the Asda car park in Walsall town centre, had been operating without planning permission for approximately 12 months. During this period, West Midlands Police attended the site on two occasions, including for a car meet that led to the venue being shut down.
The site featured a dozen shipping containers offering street food, a silent outdoor cinema, and seating for 350 people. In October 2025, Walsall Council ordered the closure of the venue, citing an immediate risk to public safety. The notice was lifted two months later after the owner complied with certain requirements.
Additional Reasons for Refusal
Alongside fire safety and drainage issues, planning officers recommended refusal due to the site's location within the Church Hill Conservation Area and potential negative impacts on neighbours' amenity. Crime and antisocial behaviour were also cited as concerns.
Applicant Mohammed Khalid stated he was unaware of the problems until recently and believed they could be resolved given more time. A petition against the refusal garnered 147 signatures, and the council received 71 comments in support of the application.
While committee members acknowledged the economic benefits and vitality the food court brought to the underused car park, they concluded that the safety and drainage issues were insurmountable. Councillor Matt Ward, leader of the Labour group, remarked that the applicant had “chanced it.”
