Ludlow 'cluttered up with ice cream vans'

A row over the number of ice cream vans spoiling the historic beauty of Ludlow has led to councillors launching a public consultation on the issue.

Ludlow Town Council has received complaints from shoppers about ice cream vans in the square spoiling views of the historic castle.

Shop owners have also called for the council to act, complaining new arrivals are taking their trade.

Town clerk Veronica Calderbank confirmed it was a "hot topic" councillors were working to tackle, after taking over management of street trading in April.

She said: "Shops seem to feel there are enough ice cream outlets already and argue they aren't making a profit, but in terms of the council decision, arguments about money don't stand.

"But if the town council feels enough ice cream is already being sold here, it can stop the street sales."

She said the lack of a definite council policy was causing "public outcry", with one van owner being refused a permit in June yet still being allowed to trade.

Shops including Chocolate Gourmet, Castle Lodge Buttery, Spar, Swifts and Castle Tea Rooms all sell ice cream in the square.

Wendy Kirby, from Castle Lodge Buttery, said: "We've had a new van parked right in the middle of the square since May taking custom from all of us who have been here for years.

"My rent is extremely high and my rates are, too, so to just see people come in from out of town and park up doesn't seem fair."

But Lorna Kendall, who runs the Wyvern Ices van, said: "We are the only ones in the whole of Ludlow selling soft ice cream so we aren't really in competition with anyone."

Views on the issue can be e-mailed to townclerk@ludlow.gov.uk before July 11.