Ex-Sharon’ Caribbean takeaway, Leeds

Restaurant owners claim they were evicted after race complaint

BY Janelle Oswald (Source: The Voice)

EVICTED: Gary and Sharon James-Brown

Caribbean Takeaway couple say they were kicked out for ‘not fitting in’ with other shopkeepers.

THE FORMER owners of a Leeds-based Caribbean restaurant claim they were evicted from their shop after complaining to their landlords about racial harassment. Gary and Sharon James- Brown say they were constantly racially harassed after launching their eatery, Sharon’s Caribbean Takeaway, in Leeds City Centre, in 2007. The couple say they complained to their landlords, TCS Holdings, but allege that the company did not deal with their complaint.

The pair were first issued a Notice of Determination in November last year, which legally gave them six months to vacate. However, when Sharon arrived at the shop on January 22 this year she found that she could not use her key. “I went to open my shop like any other normal day but realised that my key did not work,” Sharon said.

“I immediately went to see my liaison officer at TCS Holdings’ office and was informed that my husband and I have been evicted.”

Gary told The Voice that their dispute with TCS Holdings started when they moved into the premises. “The problems kicked-off when the neighbouring sandwich shop began to inquire what food we sold and asked why we included English food to our menu when black people only ate rice and peas and fried chicken.

“We also got numerous mystery shoppers that would sit outside and make racist remarks, especially to our white customers, asking them why they were eating ‘ni**er food’,” he said.

“When we reported these incidents to our landlord we were told to remove our table and chairs from outside to solve the problem.”

The couple say they were dealt a blow when served with an eviction notice. “I went to inquire about changing premises because we were growing as a business, but was refused because my wife and I were being evicted as we did not fit in with the other shopkeepers.”

He added: “I am livid. Although I did not agree with the original Notice of Determination, I accepted it because of all the stress, but now they have gone to far.

INSULT

“To add insult to injury TCS are refusing to return our deposit of £750.” Devastated by the eviction, Sharon said: “I am completely in shock in how TCS Holdings is treating us. We have a family to support and a home to maintain.

We demand justice.” Gary and Sharon have now contacted their local MP and are seeking legal action. TCS Holdings declined to comment when contacted by The Voice.