AN ICE cream vendor who feared a council-run kiosk would put him out of business is on “cloud 99” after he was awarded a new one-year lease.
Kevin Simcock has run Tony’s Ices for decades in Victoria Park and his business suffered last summer when Stafford Bor- ough Council opened a rival unit on the other side of the park.
Now the authority has awarded Mr Simcock the lease to run the new unit in addition to his original business.
After a tense six months, relations between Mr Simcock and the council began to thaw in February after a meeting with head of leisure Adam Hill.
The new kiosk was installed next to the children’s play park last week, two days after the new lease was signed.
Mr Simcock’s son Karl, who runs the business with him, said: “It’s a good result for all of us. Adam Hill has been brilliant. He said “let’s start afresh” - and that’s what has happened. He’s made things move a lot more smoothly.
“It’s been a horrible six months but we couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.
“We are grateful to the Newsletter and the support we have had from the pub- lic.”
Mr Simcock senior said: “We are looking forward to working with the council for the people of Stafford as we have for the last 30 years.”
Councillor Mike Smith, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We are pleased to have negotiated a new contract with Mr Sim- cock for the coming year. He is an experi- enced, certified operator who knows Vic- toria Park very well.
“In addition to running his confectionery outlet, Mr Simcock has agreed to be an extra pair of eyes reporting any mis- behaviour he sees to the park rangers. We expect this will be a great addition to what is an extremely popular play area for youngsters across the borough.
“Let’s hope the sun shines for a great year in the park.”
