‘Ridiculous, gutted, destroyed’ - Passionate residents react to council’s decision to evict two well-known food vans from Northampton’s Market Square with just four days’ notice

Ciro’s Place and Fryin’ Brian were both handed letters by an WNC employee on Monday April 20 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 move has left the business owners "shocked and devastated”, saying the decision is going to “destroy their lives”.

The council says the move has been made as part of its drive to make the Market Square “welcoming, vibrant and appealing to residents and visitors”. It adds that the decision was based on “feedback from traders”, as well as a “review of the balance of the traders on the square” and an attempt to “see how this might also help us reduce instances of anti-social behaviour”.

However, the decision has left many market-goers and residents upset and disappointed.

Chronicle & Echo stories covering the issue over the last few days have garnered hundreds of social media comments. Below is a round-up of those comments, which capture the feelings of many readers.

Residents react to decision to evict Market Square food vans

One social media commenter said: “Saying this decision is about “balance of traders” and improving the space doesn’t change the fact that a well-supported small business has been given just four days’ notice to leave. That may be within contract, but it doesn’t feel fair or reasonable in practice.

“If the goal is to improve the market, surely working with existing traders — not pushing them out so suddenly — would make more sense.

“I really hope this decision is reconsidered or at least that more time is given. Supporting local businesses should come first.”

Another added: “Taking away traders does not change anything about the people that reside at the market - what a stupid stupid conclusion to come to. Ridiculous.”

Another said: “Gutted. One of the only food vans on the market where I can get vegetarian alternatives that don't contain cheese. Decent blokes too.”

A loyal customer added: “Ciro's Place is where I always go!!! He is a lovely bloke and he always helps me because of my wheelchair. I can't get around very easily (especially now with the parking charges WNC taking more money I haven't got). There's now definitely no reason for me to go to town after Friday.”

Councillor Julie Davenport, Independent, for Far Cotton, Delapre and Briar Hill also commented.

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

Another reader said: “What on earth are they doing to our poor market… Council or whoever is responsible you have destroyed it completely.”

Another added: “The sad thing is, the market square looks nothing like a market square. Where are the stall holders? Where is the hustle and bustle of a good market? I feel for the food vans, they are supporting our local economy.”

A commenter said: “‘Balance of traders’?…..

“It’s basically empty and deserted! Literally clueless people and if they have customers they should determine who stays.”

Another added: “So basically they have spent millions on a complete white elephant and now have served notice to some of the traders that attract the most people to the area?”

Another said: “There is never any anti social behaviour because of these two vans and food vans have nothing to do with anti social behaviour…People socialise and eat food which is mostly keeping the market alive because the other stalls barely have any customers.”

Council comment in full

A WNC spokesman said: "The council is continually investing in Northampton Market Square and the wider town centre to ensure they remain welcoming, vibrant and appealing to residents and visitors. This includes attracting new businesses and international attractions, such as Planetarium Go!, which will be visiting Market Square this year, alongside maintaining a balanced and diverse food and drink offer. This also includes working in partnership with like-minded businesses that share our ambition to create a safe, welcoming and friendly environment in the town centre.

“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.”

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