A BUSINESS owner from Newport has slammed the way he was treated at a city KFC after his van failed to fit through the drive-thru facility and he attempted to get served on foot.

Gareth Ward says he was threatened with arrest at the chain's restaurant in Spytty by a "loud and hostile" employee.

The incident occurred around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening.

The 60-year-old, who owns Pill-based business Motorcycle Bunker, said the restaurant itself was closed for renovations when he attended, but the drive-thru was open.

When he initially approached one of the windows on foot and explained he was struggling to order in his vehicle due to the size of the van, a different member of staff, said by Mr Ward to have been “extremely understanding and helpful”, said he could be served and began to record his order.

But it was then that another employee inside the restaurant was said to have shouted: “Do not serve that person.”

Mr Ward said he tried to explain the situation once more, but that the second staff member became “very loud and hostile".

"They were verging on abusive," he added.

South Wales Argus:

He claims he was told: “If you don’t remove yourself, I will call the police.”

“I was told if I continued trying to order KFC I would be arrested,” Mr Ward added.

“It’s absolutely outrageous.

“If any of my staff ever spoke to a customer like that, they would not have a job today.”

Mr Ward went on to say that he had made an official complaint to KFC and was told he had been refused service due to a health and safety concern.

However, he claims that he was not made aware of this at the time.

The South Wales Argus made repeated attempts to contact KFC.