NO COMPETITION ALLOWED

Derby cafe owners scored a swift victory by persuading the city council to shut down a fairground burger bar three days after it opened. James Mellors Amusements Ltd was ordered to remove a hot food trailer that was operating outside the Eagle Centre, near to The Spot. Derby City Council took the decision following complaints from nearby traders. They claimed that they were losing business at what should be the busiest time of the year. The council’s city centre management team had given its permission for the burger bar to open but no permit had actually been issued to owner James Mellors because of a typically unexplained mix-up at the city council.

Mr Mellors was operating under a general agreement which covered a second burger bar at the Corn Market and a number of fairground rides dotted around the city centre. Simon Dawson, who runs Cafe Higgs in St Peter’s Street, said, “This is a victory for the traders. It’s really good news. It shows what you can do when you stick together.” He said that he had complained along with other traders who sold food because he had noticed that his takings were down. Mr Dawson said, “I pay the council £16,000 a year in rates – we just felt we were being stabbed in the back.”

The owners of other businesses, including the Caruso cafe in St Peter’s Way, and Nicky’s Fish Bar in Osmaston Road, joined forces to protest against the trailer, which was due to be in Derby for three weeks. Kevin Mallinder, who runs Dinky Donuts kiosk outside the HSBC bank in St Peter’s Street, said, “After being open all year round, these people just turn up during the best month of the year and take trade that we have worked hard for.” Mr Mellors, who has been operating fairground entertainment in Derby for more than 20 years, said that he had grudgingly accepted the city council’s decision.

He said, “I feel a little bit hard done by. It is unfortunate that there has been a slight mix-up. It is a shame that the other street traders are upset but competition is competition.” Mr Mellors said that he had been told he could replace the burger bar with a smaller kiosk that sold toffee apples and candy floss. Bob Flack, city centre manager, said that he believed the mix-up had something to do with a broken fax machine. He said, “The licence had been applied for but it had not yet been issued. In view of the number of complaints, we felt that it was appropriate to take the action to close down the unit.”