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And then I reached my limit.
Since February or March they've been renovating the building two door down, they're converting it into offices. Since then I had to go ask them at least once a week (regularly more than than once a week) to move their van/car/truck because they were (partially) blocking our shop window and door. Sometimes they moved the vehicle quickly most of the time I had to go back multiple times and threaten with calling the police.
Yesterday morning it happened again. The door was half blocked, most customers could enter and exit, but those with a pram, walker or in a wheel chair wouldn't be able to get in. When the driver of the van was getting some tools out of the van I tried to get his attention, but he ignored me. And I was just fed up. I should have called the council to complain, but a neighbour had already talked to the council people who deal with parking violations and other small things about the fact that the street was often blocked for hours on end (which was none of her business) or when they parked or stored building materials on her outdoor dining area, so she couldn't put out the tables and chairs for her café (council couldn't do anything about that). So instead I called the police. They were very helpful, especially after I explained why I didn't call the council. They would go discuss this with the council and take action. But I was advised to call the council.
So I did. They were surprisingly helpful, they put me hold to contact the right department to ask what to do. When I was on hold the car blocking our store was moved by a very ticked off builder, so I expect the police paid a visit. When she got back she told me that she would call back later, that she was going to check if they had permits to come into the city center/pedestrian area with cars. I didn't take the return call, I was helping customers. She didn't tell my dad if they had a permit, but she told us they were going to work with the police and we got a case number so if there were any new problems we could contact them and refer to the number.
Shortly after I had a look outside and all the vehicles were gone, as were all the building materials that were on the sidewalk just half an hour earlier. They didn't appear the rest of the day. So I suspect they don't have a permit to come into the city center and they were also told to move the building supplies inside.
Let's see how long they keep the sidewalk and street clear. My guess is not long.
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