THE uncle of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay fears parking chaos is putting the future of his shop at risk.

Ron Ramsay said there has been ‘hell and turmoil’ outside his Brown Street newsagents’ since the roads were altered to make way for the new Tesco Extra store.

The 64-year-old, who has been running Ramsay’s for 32 years, revealed a customer of 30 years was given penalty points and a £60 fine at 5.45am because zig zag lines have been extended outside the entrance of his shop.

The number of parking bays has been cut down so just two cars can park outside at any time. Ron said: “It’s amazing how Tesco can come in and all of a sudden all hell and turmoil breaks loose.

“The parking situation here is dangerous. It puts people at risk.

“The last four weeks there seems to have been a purge by the police on parking. I know they’re doing their job, but they could use a bit of discretion when it’s 5.45am.

“It has got to a stage now where loyal customers coming in for 30 years are getting three points and a fine. Who’s going to come down here and park if they’re going to be fined all the time?” Ron compared a car park across the road from his shop to the ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ because there are no lights there.

He said: “It’s really difficult to get deliveries in if there are cars in the bay, and it’s congested all the time.

“My business is affected because people can’t park outside. I can’t even park outside.

“It’s just not on. It’s a risk for the business.”

A spokeswoman for Inverclyde Council said: “We have to manage our roads in a way that meets the needs of all road users — including pedestrians — whose safety is paramount.

“The crossing and associated markings are there for good reasons.”

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