The owners of two food trucks in Northampton say they are NOT LEAVING the Market Square despite the council telling them they need to be gone by the end of the day.

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) earlier this week.

On Monday, 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”.

Protestors support food van owners who say they will not leave the Market Square, despite being evicted.

placeholder image — Protestors support food van owners who say they will not leave the Market Square, despite being evicted.

The move has left the business owners “shocked and devastated”, saying it will “destroy their lives”.

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 1,000 signatures, alongside a wave of online support. A protest also took place on Friday morning, drawing dozens of supporters.

Speaking to the Chronicle & Echo at the protest, Ciro’s Place owner Jovanka Kolar said: “I read some comments on the Chronicle & Echo article and people are so outraged and angry.

On Monday, 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. Jovanka and Joao of Ciro's Place (left) and Paul of Fryin' Brian (right).

“The way that we have been treated, like the last dirt, like the last human dirt. Like scum.

“The support we have had is great. They are doing their best. That’s actually support from people who are our customers. They are just ordinary, normal people. But somehow we don’t fit anymore in this nicely polished market.

“They openly and frankly want to get rid of us. We are not fitting into their polished market.

“I think this is a bigger game than we are. We are just collateral damage.

“We have been here since 1997, when the market was full of life. Now it’s empty.”

Asked if they had been in contact with WNC this week, she said: “No, nothing. The girl I contacted from the National Market Traders Federation wrote a letter and they didn’t reply either. Let’s hope they change their mind, but I don’t have hopes. All my hope is gone.”

Asked if they would vacate the site, Jovanka added: “We don’t have a place to leave. I don’t know where to leave. Where? To be given four days is disgusting. We’ve been on the market for 28 and a half years.

“Where shall I find the place to put the trailer? Who will move the trailer? How? There’s more than £200 worth of stock in the trailer.”

Joao, who runs day-to-day operations at Ciro’s Place and continued trading during the 22-month, £13.5 million Market Square renovation, said: “It feels like the community is giving a little bit of support, which is good. Let’s hope that changes something in the council.”

Asked whether the council had made contact since issuing the notice, he said: “No, nothing, nothing. I didn’t get any emails from them, no one came over to speak to me, no explanations at all.”

Despite being told he must leave, Joao said he intends to continue trading. He said: “I’m going to come and work tomorrow, definitely. I’ve got loads of stuff to get rid of.

“To be honest with you, I feel a little bit nervous because that day is coming closer. I still don’t know what I’m going to do with my life.

“I still don’t know what’s happening, and once again, I haven’t done anything wrong, so I don’t really understand where to go.

“I don’t really understand what’s happening, to be honest with you. I don’t know of any antisocial behaviour, I don’t know of any reports.

“If that was the case, I think they should have got in touch with me so I could make it better.

“I was not aware of anything like that at all. I don’t mind helping if there is an issue. I don’t mind trying to make it better.”

He added: “If they stab somebody in front of McDonald’s, they’re not going to close McDonald’s because of the stabbing – it’s the person’s fault, isn’t it? So I don’t really understand what’s going on.”

Opposition councillors also attended the protest, including Labour’s Enam Haque and independent councillor Julie Davenport.

Castle ward Labour councillor Enam Haque criticised the “high-handed” eviction, describing the short notice as a “cruel blow”.

He said: “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 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 antisocial behaviour nearby? When did businesses become responsible for other people’s behaviour?”

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.