Shop owners who lost trade when customers were banned from parking in a layby say their “prayers have been answered” now the restrictions have been lifted.

The pull-in along Faversham Road, Kennington, was previously shared by buses and customers wanting to use Savers Newsagents, Marino’s Fish Bar, Hall Hair and Ashford Dry Cleaners.

But in January 2022 thick yellow lines were painted on the road to stop customers from parking up and blocking access for buses.

While the yellow lines remain, signs warning drivers not to park up have been removed and shop owners have been told their customers can once again use the layby without fear of a parking ticket.

The changes took a heavy toll on lunchtime trade at Marino’s and even led to the chippy closing Sundays.

But now owner Orthy Karios says he has noticed trade picking back up and has been able to open up again seven days a week.

“We have already seen a difference with customers coming back,” he said.

“I want to thank my staff, friends and family as well as all the customers who signed the petition and wrote to the authorities.

“We have still managed to stay open through it all which shows our commitment to our business and to our customers.

“I am truly thankful for everything. I feel like my prayers have been answered because I feel like there were some really dark times worrying about my future.

“We want to get the word out that the restrictions have been lifted.”

More than 3,000 people who use the shops signed a petition calling for parking to be reinstated.

Bella Patel, owner of the newsagents said: “The sign was put up overnight and taken down overnight.

“Ever since I have noticed more customers coming in and out.

“We have been telling customers they are allowed to park there for no more than 30 minutes.

“We don't want people to park longer because it will spoil it for everyone else.

“If it wasn't for the customers who signed the petition we wouldn't be here so we are quite pleased it has all paid off.”

Dan Hall, director at Hall Hair, says the removal of the restrictions has been a big help for customers with limited mobility and those being dropped off for appointments.

“It has helped massively, especially for customers with disabilities,” he said.

“They couldn’t walk around the back, because there are steps there.

“We lost a lot of walk-in customers before because they couldn't park. Now they can park, quickly walk in and get a cut.”

Hall Hair’s customers who are spending a longer time in the chair are still encouraged to park in a car park around the back of the shops accessed from Nettlefield.

Samer Al Masri, who took over Ashford Dry Cleaners four months ago, says he has noticed some customers are still too scared to park there.

He said: “I tell customers they are allowed to park there for 30 minutes, but they say there are no signs so nobody believes me.

“It's a big problem for us. For a dry cleaning business, customers sometimes only come for two or three minutes, they are very quick but they are scared to park there.”

The shop owners say they will continue calling for a sign to be put up explaining the new rules.

KentOnline understands bus operator Stagecoach, which initially requested the changes to the layby, is behind the removal of the restrictions.

The company was contacted for comment.