The city council has said it will find a “solution for everyone” after the installation of a bollard outside a popular café caused uproar.

On Monday, the council installed a bollard outside Parklife Community Café in Shirley following reports of unauthorised vehicles entering St James’ Park near the café’s entrance.

The installation of the bollard prevented the café from receiving deliveries directly to the premises, instead forcing staff to carry heavy boxes up and down the hill from Church Street.

Speaking to the Echo, café manager Paula Shapland, said: “I’ve been here six years, and we’ve never had any problems like this, it’s given me sleepless nights.

“We did have an email from the council the weekend prior, but we weren’t given any explanation, and it all happened very quickly.

“Delivery drivers have been struggling to park on Church Street and been getting as close as they can but it’s not particularly safe walking a trolley-full of items down the hill – the trolley is pushing you rather than you pushing it.

“Even in the event of an emergency, if the bollard is in place – emergency services wouldn’t be able to directly get to us.”

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Paula added: “My biggest fear is the impact this would have on the community, but the response has been overwhelming.”

Shirley ward councillor, Alexander Winning through his support behind the café, as he said: “The decision to instate the bollard to prevent vehicles does appear to have been taken without full understanding of why access is so important.”

Southampton City Council initially stood firm following “feedback received about the risk of unauthorised vehicles entering the park.”

However, a day later, Cllr John Savage – cabinet member for Green City and Net Sero – confirmed the bollard would be temporarily dropped for the weekend before discussions next week which will find a “workable solution for everyone.”

In a statement, he said: “The Council has received complaints about the risk to St. James’ Park users from vehicles entering the park near the café entrance.

“The bollard was installed in response to this but unfortunately there has been a breakdown in communication between ourselves and the café about its installation.

“We have spoken to the café today and arranged to drop the bollard for the weekend when they are expecting deliveries.

“We will continue discussions next week to find a workable solution for everyone.”