Diners have blasted a ban on a city centre posh drive thu - believing it to be punished unfairly compared to big chain fast food operators.

Varanasi on Broad Street has been banned from letting its drive-thru customers eat in a car park behind the restaurant.

West Midlands Police said it was "against coronavirus regulations" to encourage people to stay in the car park to enjoy their food.

Instead, Varanasi said it would continue with the "Business Class Dining service" plans - serving food presented on a tray - airplane-style - but will now instruct people to drive away.

Varanasi general manager Abdul Wahab said the police ruling was "unfair " - comparing the service to "being no different to a McDonald's".

Many diners have agreed.

Quoting Mr Wahab, Kayleigh Buckingham-Pegg posted: " 'No one is stopping people from eating their drive-through meal in a McDonald's car park so why stop us?' - 100% agree."

Many felt that Varanasi was simply trying to keep their business afloat over lockdown and should not be punished for it.

Natalie Healey who was one of 30 people who tried the drive-through service last weekend said: "Experienced this on Saturday and really enjoyed it.

"It’s no different from a McDonald’s or KFC drive-through. Shame we have to try to stop people from making money during these unpredictable times."

Marc Davis said: "Really what about KFC and McDonalds and Greggs? They are just making a living.

"Another business that is forced to close and probably won't reopen. It's like they want the smaller business to go bust while the big dog businesses are still open to the public. What an absolute joke."

Joanna Sadowińska posted: "Ohhh so I just ordered McDonald’s drive-thru and parked up and had my meal on their car park with no issues or problems! This is just ridiculous! One rule for one and one for another! How do they want businesses to operate?"

Over on Twitter @NigelTozer agreed saying: "No different to McDonald's, as the owner says..."

While others said they were able to enjoy their meal in big chain car parks, some readers said their local fast food restaurant car park was cordoned off and not in use.

Alan Martin said cars "parked all the time in Coventry Road next to KFC".

Claire Louise said she could not park in her local McDonald's car park.

Asad Mahmood said there was "no consistency".

He added: "Complete joke. People cant make a living although following the guidelines. People can get tested via drive-thrus..."

Zo Daley added that food collection is not illegal over lockdown and "it doesn't matter where you eat it".

She said: "This is BS ... people are allowed to go and get food. Once they are out (in the car especially) does it really make any difference if they eat it in a car park, side of the road, or at home."

Mohammed Kasam said: "Big corporations like McDonald’s KFC are doing it but small businesses are doing it that’s not allowed. "His comment was also liked several times.

Carol Duckfield said: "If this is the council's position then all McDonald's need to have the same regulations applied otherwise let them carry on."

Our story was picked up on Reddit, in a thread called "Birmingham police ban Indian restaurant from offering 'luxury in-car dining experience' (it's ok if you're McDonald's though)".

Sparkevans said: "Feel for the bloke, trying to innovate and see his business through this mess."

However not everyone was in favour of the posh drive-thru service and believed it could lead to many other businesses doing the same - and making a mockery of the current stay at home messaging - as Covid rates in the city remain high.

Adrian Powell said he totally agreed with the ban.

He posted: "It’s a lockdown after all and there’d be drive-thrus popping up everywhere."

BirminghamLive approached McDonald's to clarify whether customers can stay in its car parks after collecting food.

A spokeswoman said: "Through our new click & serve service available at Drive-Thru restaurants across the UK, you order your food through the app, select click and serve, drive to the restaurant, and park in a designated bay before entering the bay number into the app.

"Your food will be safely brought to your car window, without the need to queue. Customers are advised to leave the car park once they have collected their order, to help prevent congestion around the restaurant."

What are the current rules on hospitality?

Boris Johnson announced that business offering takeaways are allowed to open, but they must not serve alcohol to customers who collect their order.

You can order alcohol if our takeaway is delivered to your home.

When collecting your takeaway, you must also follow social distancing guidelines.

Drive-through services are also allowed - so hospitality staff can deliver food to your car.

The Government website states: "To reduce social contact, the regulations require some businesses to close and impose restrictions on how some businesses provide goods and services."

Businesses required to close over lockdown include: "Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through. All food and drink (including alcohol) can continue to be provided by delivery."