Alan Philipson first opened his van in 1974 (Picture: North News)
For Alan Philipson, this popular spot in a Northumberland town has been the source of income for decades.
Generations of residents in Hexham have been buying their ice-creams from the Tyne Valley Ices van in Sele Park where the grandad-of-six first opened in 1974.
But he has been kicked off the land after the county council installed bike racks in his designated parking bay.
Devastated, the 71-year-old claimed the previous council authority, Tynedale, who were taken over by the current one in 2009, installed and concreted the spot for him.
Alan has been whipping up 99’s for nearly 50 years in the town (Picture: North News)
They provided him with a key to the wooden bollard, making him the only person who could remove it to park in the bay.
‘When we were under Tynedale, before Northumbria took over in 2009, we had no problems and they actively helped us,’ Alan said.
‘But since then, everything has changed. It makes me really sad, I am on my third generation of customers.
‘I serve children now who come with their grandparents, who I served when they were young.
Has has served generations in Hexham (Picture: North News)
‘Ice cream vans contribute a lot to the national economy, it is a shame we are being pushed out. We are a part of British culture and national identity.’
The remaining area of the park is a no parking zone. It is sprayed with double yellow lines, meaning the Northumberland businessman is unable to set up shop.
After reaching out to council members, Alan clamed receiving a letter demanding a sum of money and was told failure to comply with the payment would result in imprisonment if the business does not cease trading.
He said: ‘It is pure greed. They sent me a letter demanding I pay them but with no invoice or cost attached. It is a big bully tactic from the council.’
Residents have teamed up to help their ice-cream seller (Picture: North News)
This is not the first time the trader has butted heads with the council as he won a previous battle in 2013 to stay on the pitch.
He was also slapped with a parking ticket in 2012 while in his truck.
Over the years, Alan claims he has done a lot for the community, including giving out free ice-creams to hospital workers during the pandemic.
He added: ‘We gave out free ice cream during Covid to hospital workers and give water out to overheated children in the park during the summer.
Alan in the 1970s with his ice-cream cart (Picture: North News)
‘A young lad fell of his skateboard in the park the other day and guess who he came to for a plaster? My van.
‘We are eco-friendly and have solar panels. We also turn the engine off in the park.
‘I have offered to make a contribution to the community to keep it clean. We are well loved by the community, it is a big part of what we do.’
And it seems that much of the Hexham community is behind Alan as a petition to keep him at his normal pitch has so far gained more than 1,000 signatures.
A Northumberland County Council spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘Concessions for park traders are let via a competitive tender process with winning bidders being granted a license to trade for a fixed period.
‘The council continues to be transparent in this process and winning bidders are required to comply with all license conditions, including making annual payments during that period.
‘Breaches of license conditions may result in the council bringing the license to an end and we would seek to recover any debt owed in the event of a default on agreed payments.’
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‘We are a part of British culture and national identity.’