Ice cream stall quits market in row over lease

Aldous was taken over by Lakenham Creamery in the 1990s

An ice cream stall that has been part of Norwich Market for 88 years has closed in a row over a new lease agreement.

Lakenham Creamery owns the historic Aldous Ices brand, which had a wagon on the market in 1937, then a van, and most recently a front row stall.

The company said it felt "forced" to give up the stall after being told it must operate year-round and at a rental price that was up 15% on last year.

The city council said it was sorry Lakenham Creamery felt the arrangement "was no longer viable", and that the change came amid various alterations at the market.

Lakenham Creamery manager Damian Hunt said it would usually close its stand - known as Stall 8 - between November and Easter, when ice cream was not in high demand.

The company's lease had been £7,800, plus VAT, with this year's rent rising to £9,000, which does not include a market service charge and other bills.

Stall 8 had been told to open five days a week, all year long

"Unfortunately the cost of the rent, and staffing costs, it just wouldn't be viable," said Mr Hunt.

"I feel like it's a decision that's been forced upon us.

"There is normally a rent increase annually - this one is quite big - and they haven't given an explanation of why we'd have to open all year round; perhaps it's because we are at the front."

He did not rule out a return to the market - perhaps as a pop-up - and said stepping away was "very sad".

"It's been a huge part of the business's history since the 1930s," he added.

"There are a lot of memories of people being taken there as children, and then taking their children."

Norwich market is one of the oldest open-air markets in Britain

The council said the vacant unit would be taken over by an adjoining fruit and veg stall, and that it was working to fill seven other empty stalls by the end of the year.

"As a popular and vibrant market, new tenants set up business quite regularly," a spokesman added.

"We also work with existing traders to expand or relocate within the site to grow their businesses."

Longer term the market is due to be redesigned, with the creation of a new central court being the most popular suggestion in a public consultation.

The council said the plans were still in development, with proposals to be announced later this autumn.