Warehouse boss turns forklift into instant valet after car blocks his shutter

The moment that grabbed people online was simple and absurd at the same time. A warehouse owner who says drivers regularly block his unit climbed into a forklift and physically moved one of the cars out of the way.

Luke Thurling said he had reached the end of his patience when he arrived at work and found a vehicle parked across the front of his business. According to him, the car was blocking the shutter at Stockport Pallet Warehouse, meaning the warehouse could not be opened.

Instead of waiting around, the 38-year-old used what he already had on site. Video posted to Instagram showed him getting into a forklift truck and lifting the car clear of the entrance so access to the premises could be restored.

He presented it with a sense of humour, saying the forklift normally moves pallets but had effectively been turned into a parking service for the day. The clip quickly spread online.

Why he said it keeps happening

Thurling said this was not a one-off problem. He described blocked access as a constant issue and linked it to the number of gyms nearby.

He said there are several gyms at Hallam Mill and that the car park is regularly clogged with vehicles. In his account, that overflow keeps spilling into places where people should not be leaving cars, including directly in front of business units.

The vehicle he moved was identified as a 2007 Vauxhall Zafira Energy. Thurling also said the driver appeared to leave without realising the car had been repositioned.

The internet loved the forklift fix, with one big caveat

Plenty of people who saw the video backed his decision. Some said the driver would think twice before parking there again. Others said he had done exactly what was needed and argued that more people would stop blocking access if they knew their cars could be shifted.

One commenter joked that a forklift could save even more space if a badly parked car was left standing upright against a wall. Another praised the move outright.

Not everyone focused only on the comedy. One person warned that touching somebody else's car could lead to accusations of damage. Another said using a rope to drag the vehicle away might have been a better option because of possible liability once the forklift made contact.

Thurling did not appear overly rattled by that line of argument. His answer to somebody dealing with similar parking problems was blunt and playful: get a forklift.

That mix of irritation, improvisation and deadpan humour is a big part of why the clip travelled so far. For viewers, it was not just a case of someone clearing an entrance. It was a familiar parking dispute solved with the exact piece of machinery his job happened to put within reach.

What a forklift is actually for

A forklift is a powered lifting truck built to move loads that sit securely on pallets, stillages or purpose made attachments. Its forks slide under a balanced load, then the mast lifts it just high enough for safe travel. The machine stays stable only when the weight, height and centre of gravity remain within its rated limits.

That matters because a car is not a normal forklift load. Most cars do not have safe lifting points for bare forks, and the weight is spread unevenly. Sliding forks under a vehicle can crush bodywork, damage brake lines, puncture the floor, scrape the exhaust or upset the forklift's balance. Even a short lift can go wrong if the load shifts or the driver needs to turn sharply.

Why moving a blocked vehicle is risky

Using industrial equipment to shift a parked vehicle can look simple, but it combines several hazards at once. The forklift operator may lose forward visibility. The vehicle being moved may roll unexpectedly if its parking brake is weak or if it is lifted at an angle. Nearby pedestrians are also at risk, especially around loading bays, shutters and blind corners.

There is also the practical side. A blocked shutter can stop deliveries, collections and emergency access, but moving someone else's vehicle can create a fresh problem if the car is damaged or left somewhere unsafe. Rules on private land, access rights and who can authorise removal vary by place, so the safest answer is usually to treat it as a site management issue first, not a handling job.

What to do if a vehicle blocks access

Start by documenting the obstruction with clear photos and the time. Check whether the owner can be found quickly through reception, neighbouring units, security staff or nearby businesses. If the blocked area affects emergency routes or creates immediate danger, contact the relevant local authority or emergency service line for guidance.

For businesses, prevention works better than improvisation. Mark shutters and turning areas clearly. Use cones, fold down posts or bollards where allowed. Put delivery instructions in booking emails and on signs at the entrance. If blocking happens often, create a simple escalation plan so staff know who to call before anyone touches the vehicle.

If machinery is ever involved, it should only be done by trained operators using equipment and methods approved for that exact task.