Owners of an independent restaurant wishing to open in the new Arcade site in Walthamstow have been granted a meeting with the council.

An online petition was launched on behalf of the owners of Yum Yum Thai restaurant in Stoke Newington after it was thought they had been refused a place in the development, now known as The Scene at Cleveland Place, in favour of larger retailers and restaurants.

A council spokesman said: “The council has not turned down interest from Yum Yum in taking out a unit at The Scene at Cleveland Place. Indeed, invited representatives from Yum Yum are coming in for discussions with the council on Friday when they will be making a presentation and provide information about their interest.”

The petition currently has 962 signatures.

Dominic Mandrell, who started the petition on the restaurant’s behalf, said: “Yum Yum have put in a bid to open a similar branch in Walthamstow in the new cinema development on the arcade site.

“To date the council so far have refused to consider it as they are pursuing what they call the ‘top 30’ operators.

Mr Mandrell asks people to sign the petition and support an independent business opening in the borough.

The petition can be found here.