Coffee van cannot trade ahead of major festival

The owner of an independent coffee van said it was a "kick in the teeth" to be told by his local council he would not be able to trade ahead of a major music festival.

David Lamb, founded the Coal Face Coffee Trailer in Herrington Country Park, Sunderland, last year, but said his contract had not been renewed past March.

He claims Sunderland City Council told him it was due to the preparation works required at the park ahead of Radio 1's Big Weekend in May.

The local authority said Lamb only had a contract to trade until March, but it would be "happy to consider suitable alternative locations or opportunities" for Mr Lamb's trailer "as soon as possible".

About 80,000 people are expected to arrive on Wearside for the three-day festival, between 22 to 24 May, which Lamb said he had been preparing for.

"It's soul destroying, absolutely soul destroying," he said.

"It's my livelihood, you rely on the income from it, and to be told you can't on possibly the biggest weekend of the year."

The former HGV mechanic quit his career of more than 28 years to set up his business.

He said he had no reason to believe his agreement to operate would not be renewed, especially as there were no other coffee facilities in his section of the park.

He said he could not understand the decision.

"We're trying to make a living, without being knocked down by the council," he said.

"The council should be encouraging businesses like myself."

Without an alternative location being offered by the council, or it reversing its decision, his business could fold, he said.

A spokesperson said the council said: "As Herrington Country Park is undergoing a programme of parks infrastructure works, we are currently unable to retender the contract for this pitch.

"The city council will be happy to consider suitable alternative locations or opportunities as soon as possible."