“Why should I stop coming? This is my livelihood”: Defiant food van owners stay open on Northampton Market Square despite council eviction deadline passing

Two long-standing food trucks on Northampton’s Market Square – Ciro’s Place and Fryin’ Brian – were given four days’ notice to leave by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) last week.

On Monday (April 20), the businesses were handed letters by a WNC employee stating they had until 8pm on Friday April 24 to vacate the square. Both trucks have been trading on the site for decades.

The council says the move is part of efforts to make the square “a more welcoming space” by “improving the range and offer”, as well as reviewing trader locations to reduce anti-social behaviour. It said the decision was made after “careful consideration”.

WNC responded to a request for comment from the Chron regarding the traders saying their intention was to stay on site. A spokesperson said: “The traders' lease expires at 8pm [on Friday]. If they remain in the Market Square beyond this time, the council will consider the appropriate enforcement action.”

A petition has gathered more than 1,500 signatures, alongside a wave of online support. A protest also took place on Friday morning, drawing dozens of supporters.

Despite the council’s orders, food van owners Joao and Paul reopened for business this week.

Speaking to the Chronicle & Echo today (Monday), Ciro’s Place owner Joao said: “It's been very difficult. It was a very difficult weekend because I don't know what's going to happen.

“The only thing I know, it's from social media and from the papers. Officially from them, I haven't heard anything. They still haven’t answer my email.

“Nothing happened when I set up on Saturday. Nothing. I haven't seen anyone from the council. No one from the council contacted me.

He added: “It's good to know that you got all of this support behind me. You know, I mean, it was it was busy, but like since Monday, I mean, my head is all over the place.”

Asked how he is feeling setting up today (Monday), he continued: “I feel jumpy today. I don't know what's going to happen because you're coming to work and you're not sure what's going to happen. You don't know if you're going to get arrested, you know, if you're going to be blocked from working. You just don't know.”

On the council backtracking on its initial statement saying the move was due to feedback from other traders, Joao said: “It's so weird because they changed the statements like three or four times. And it feels like they are going to do it, but they are scared of what they're doing.

“I mean, at least face it. I'm facing it. You know, I still haven't done anything wrong. I don't know what I'm going to face, but I'm still facing it.”

The council said in it statement that they offered support to Joao. However, Joao says that this is not the case.

He said: “They never offer me any kind of support. I asked for support and they ignored me. No one came from the council over here saying, look, this, this, this, this is happening. If you need any kind of support, this is my number. This is my email. I didn't get anything from the council.

“I haven’t seen anyone from the council since last Monday when they gave me the letter. So what they said on their on their Facebook page, that's a lie.”

Pointing to customers gathered around his trailer sat in the sunshine, he continued: “This is what I get every single day. This is our community. This is, you know, we know each other by names. We see each other almost every single day. They are calling this anti social behaviour.

“The council’s antisocial behaviours officers are around all the time. I've never seen any antisocial behaviour. Problems in front of my van? I have never seen it.”

Talking about the council's ASB officers: "You know, to be honest with you, they're part of the community as well. They speak to the customers. They they're OK with everyone. So I never seen anything happen in front of the van.”

On the design of the market, he said: "What did they expect when they put these benches over here? People are going to come and sit down.

“So, look, once again, I don't understand the council decision. I still don't get it. Why is it happening?"

In terms of his plan going forward, he said: "I'm going to keep coming to work until I cannot, until they don't let me.

“Like I said, I haven't done anything wrong. I don't know of any wrongdoings in front of the van.

“So council hasn't been advising me, hasn't told me anything about any wrongdoings in front of the van. So why should I stop coming? This is my livelihood."

WNC has been contacted for a further response.

In a statement issued on Thursday, a spokesperson for WNC said: “West Northamptonshire Council has moved to give residents greater clarity on the decision to end the occupancy of two food traders in Northampton’s Market Square.

“The council took the decision as it moves forward with plans to address instances of anti-social behaviour within the square and as part of an overall review of the offer of stalls as it looks to make improvements.

“The notice period given to the traders was in line with the contract and support has been offered to those affected, including advice and signposting to business support.

“WNC is working hard to bring new energy to the market as part of its ongoing commitment to creating a safer, more welcoming and successful town centre for residents, visitors and businesses.

“Plans to grow and strengthen the market are already underway, with a clear focus on improving both the quality of the offer to create a balanced and attractive mix of stalls. A campaign is in progress to attract new, quality traders and the council has received encouraging early interest.

“To further support traders day‑to‑day, a new Market Square team is being recruited to strengthen on‑the‑ground support, ensure a consistent presence and provide a clearer point of contact. Promotion will also be strengthened, including new campaigns, an improved web presence and digital activity co‑produced with traders.

“Alongside this, work is progressing on a refreshed events programme for 2026/27, bringing new and unique family‑friendly attractions to the area, with further announcements planned for the summer and Christmas periods in the coming weeks.

“Proposals are also being developed in response to trader feedback to relocate stalls to a new, more permanent location at the lower end of the Square, reducing disruption during events.

“WNC will also soon be consulting with residents and visitors to understand what they would most like to see on the Market Square, ensuring future decisions reflect local demand while encouraging increased footfall,” the spokesperson said.