The saga of a controversial restaurant being run illegally from a city home appears to have FINALLY come to an end. 

A freedom of information request submitted by this newspaper has discovered there is "no evidence" to suggest Orlando's in Earlham Road is still trading as a takeaway or restaurant for non-guests of its B&B.

Eastern Daily Press: Owner Orlando WilliamsOwner Orlando Williams (Image: Newsquest)

The response from Norwich City Council also revealed the authority has spent more than £1,000 of taxpayer money to cover the cost of legal action against the rogue restaurateur.

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Council chiefs issued an enforcement notice in July 2023 telling owner Orlando Williams to cease trading illegally by October 10.

But people living nearby claimed the restaurant, which is allowed to operate as part of a bed and breakfast, had continued to sell sushi past this deadline.

Neighbours continued to report seeing delivery bikes continue to turn up at the home, with cooking odours still floating down the street.

Following failed attempts to get clarity on the situation from the city council, a freedom of information request was submitted.

The response read: "The city council planning enforcement team continues to monitor the business to check that it is running as it should.

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"We have no evidence to suggest it is still trading as a takeaway or restaurant for non-guests.

Eastern Daily Press: Orlando's in Earlham RoadOrlando's in Earlham Road (Image: Newsquest)

"The council has been monitoring the use of the premises to establish compliance with the requirements of the enforcement notice. No breaches have been witnessed or reported since the compliance date.

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"As such, no further legal action has been necessary to date.

"We will continue to work with Orlando’s should the need arise."

Eastern Daily Press: A takeaway sign had appeared in the premises windowA takeaway sign had appeared in the premises window (Image: Newsquest)

The response also revealed £1,045.50 has been spent on legal action against Mr Williams in the last 12 months.

Six complaints about Orlando's have also been submitted from the community in the same time period. 

Mr Williams, whose Yakiniku restaurant in Ber Street closed in 2015, was contacted for comment.