Council finds ‘no definitive evidence’ man turned his house into restaurant – despite illuminated sign, bar and seating for 24

Local authority reportedly tells furious neighbours it has no proof home is being used as business

Norwich council is investigating the premises (Eastern Daily Press)

A man accused of running a clandestine restaurant from his Norfolk home is reportedly to face no legal sanction after council officials said there was no “definitive evidence” to back up the claim.

Orlando Williams was subject to an investigation after neighbours complained he had converted his seven-bed residential address in Norwich into a business.

A sign, similar in style to those commonly seen adorning the front of eateries and bearing the logo “Orlando’s” next to a phone number and web address, had been hung on the front of the building.

Residents living nearby claimed menus and a flyer hailing the address as the “home of Japanese BBQ and sushi” had been posted through their letterboxes.

A council inspection of the property uncovered a bar and seating for 24 people.

However, an email from Norwich City Council, thought to have been sent to neighbours last week, said the local authority had been unable to prove a restaurant had been operating at the home.

“Planning permission is not required for the marketing of a site as a different use nor is it required for the setup of internal furniture,” the message, seen by the Eastern Daily Press, said.

Orlando Williams has previously run a restaurant in Norwich (Eastern Daily Press)

“In this case we do not have any definitive evidence that shows that the above address is operating as a restaurant.”

Mr Williams, who had previously run a Japanese restaurant called Sakura in the city, has repeatedly denied he is operating a business from his home.

However, a Facebook page for the former restaurant now lists its location as Mr Williams’ home address in Earlham Road.

“All I do, I have my name on my house,” he said in January. “There is no restaurant there.”

On Monday, a planning application to convert the property into a five-room bed and breakfast was approved by the council.

The Independent has contacted Norwich City Council for comment.