I might be wrong on this one but from looking at the pics and the drop down kerb the shops more than likely have vehicle access to the front, they've parked there for as long as I can remember, I think the railings are more to stop people driving from the "parking places" at the front of the shops straight onto the main road, if they didn't want vehicles to use it they would have put up more bollards like they have at the other end. Doesn't sort your problem out with delivery vans blocking your access though
Edit - and the car in the pic shouldn't be where he is, he should be in front of the shops
