Opposition councillors slam WNC's 'high-handed' and 'cruel' decision to kick two long-standing food trucks off Northampton Market Square

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

On Monday, the businesses were both handed letters by an WNC employee saying they had until 8pm on Friday (April 24) to leave the Market Square for good. Both trucks have been trading on the site for decades.

The council says the move has been made as part of its drive to make Market Square “a more welcoming space” by “improving” the range and offer” as well as looking at where traders were located to reduce anti-social behaviour. The council said the decisions had been made after “careful consideration”.

The move has left the business owners "shocked and devastated” by the news saying the decision is going to “destroy their lives”.

A petition has been launched to save the two vans and a protest is reportedly set to take place on Friday at 10am.

Opposition councillors have slammed the decision by the Reform-led council.

Castle ward Labour councillor Enam Haque has criticised the ‘high-handed’ eviction and said short notice was a ‘cruel blow’.

He said: “If there were concerns about anti-social behaviour in the vicinity of the food trucks, this was best dealt with by police and wardens tackling the perpetrators rather than the council destroying the businesses.

"As the area’s local councillor, I want to see activity return to the Market Square, and local businesses thrive. As a business person myself, I can completely understand how devastating it must be for these food trucks to have their licences withdrawn at such short notice and without recourse to any avenue of appeal.

“Having visited the trucks and heard the concerns of local people, I am taking this matter up with the Council and hope that it will reconsider this decision. The businesses should be told why the Council has taken such drastic steps against them, and given a chance to respond and if necessary take remedial action.

“Anti-social behaviour in the town centre is, unfortunately, a problem. It should be dealt with by tackling the perpetrators, not closing down the businesses.”

Independent councillor Julie Davenport said: “I believe that the way this situation has been handled has caused reputational damage to the Council. Matters such as this should be treated with the seriousness they deserve. The current approach sends the wrong message to local businesses and is unlikely to encourage others to invest in or become part of our town centre.

“Why can’t the Council and the police deal with antisocial behaviour? Will we see other businesses forced to leave the town centre because there happens to be anti-social behaviour near their businesses? When did businesses become responsible for other people’s behaviour?

“It seems very unfair to give four days' notice to quit when these vans are their livelihoods. They probably have dependents, mortgages, etc. This short notice appears particularly cruel.”

Cllr Davenport has requested from WNC to see all communications prior to this decision. She has also asked for more time to be given to the vans.

Lib Dem leader councillor Jonathan Harris said: “As well as this issue being flagged by Cllr Davenport (through Chronicle and Echo) I have had a Brixworth resident on the phone at 7.30am this morning, very concerned about how these two traders have been treated. He has known them for years - including the times when they had to relocate to Commercial Street for the Market Square. So, their plight and concerns for them go much further than just the town centre.

“I have written to officers to ask for full transparency as to why this decision has been taken - and specifically why so rapidly. They have livings to make, and I understand families to support, and it is important that we all have trust in fair and reasonable decision making.”

Conservative councillor Daniel Lister, who oversaw the £13.5 million Market Square refurbishment, has been contacted for comment.

WNC spokesman said: “The decision is primarily based on a review of the balance of traders on the Market Square as we want to improve the range and offer to create a more welcoming space. As part of this work we are also looking at where traders are located within the square to see how this might also help us reduce instances of anti-social behaviour.

“The decision followed engagement with traders and careful consideration of feedback received. The notice period given was in line with the contract and support has been offered to those traders affected, including advice and signposting to business support.”