Food van leaves Northampton Market Square ahead of council court hearing tomorrow

Ciro's Place vacated its pitch at around 5pm on Monday, July 13, this newspaper understands, leaving a noticeable gap on the square when the Chronicle and Echo visited today (Wednesday).

Ciro’s Place owner Joao Frade said: “I’m tired of not achieving anything with the council. They won’t negotiate with me. So I’ve decided to give up. I was never going to get to stay in the market. Didn’t see the point anymore.”

Meanwhile, Fryin' Brian confirmed to the Chronicle & Echo that it is due in court at 10am tomorrow (Thursday), with both traders reportedly expected to attend.

This comes more than two months after both businesses were originally ordered to leave the Market Square by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

Ciro's Place and Fryin' Brian were initially told to vacate by 8pm on April 24 after WNC terminated their trading arrangements.

In a letter sent to the traders in April, the council said: "Changes are required to the standards, mix and overall quality of trading operating on the square as part of an ongoing place shaping and market improvement programme."

The letter also stressed the decision was "not a disciplinary action" and was "not based on any single complaint or allegation against you personally."

The council initially linked the decision to allegations of anti-social behaviour before later withdrawing that explanation and instead citing the wider market improvement programme.

On May 11, the council gave both traders a final deadline of May 15, warning they would face legal action if they failed to leave. Both businesses remained on the Market Square after that date.

Earlier this month, WNC confirmed it had begun court proceedings.

A council spokesperson told the Chronicle & Echo: "The council has issued court proceedings in accordance with the existing tenancy at will, and the claim is currently progressing through the court's administrative process."

Speaking before Ciro's Place left the square, owner Joao said he was not surprised legal action had been launched.

"I never believed the council would back down from this," he said.

He added: "I've said I'm happy to leave if I have to. I just want to know why I have to go.

"I've been working with the council for years. I pay my rent and I still don't understand what's happened.

"I can't understand why they've decided to get rid of the two busiest businesses in the market and leave the ones that aren't as busy. Is it a bad thing to be busy?"

Speaking about the legal action, he said: "I knew it was coming. I don't know what I'm going to do now. Move, stay or fight it – I honestly don't know.

"I feel defeated. You always hope something might change, but logically I knew they were never going to back down."

Fryin' Brian owner Paul previously said he had also not been given a reason for being asked to leave.