Planners claim they found the Sarab restaurant’s timber pagoda “discordant and intrusive” in Ewell Road, in Tolworth.

Discordant with what? That stretch is currently lined with cheap takeaways and off-licences, and Sarab is the one little beacon of light there.

The restaurant’s attempts at beautifying itself should be heartily embraced.

Sarab is already popular with locals, and offers a genuinely warm welcome when you enter.

Not only that, but the pagoda looks great – particularly when all the fairy lights are on.

It feels like the only business viable these days in the borough comes with a side order of fries.

Have some ambition for Tolworth, Kingston Council.

We want our civic centre to be more than a row of smelly, unattractive chicken shops.

KEITH WALLACE
Tolworth