Andrew Grant, who ran the Pipers Pitch Catering Van in Craster, lost his plot on Tuesday after Alnwick District Council told him he was unsuccessful in retaining his licence.

Mr Grant, whose licence ran out on March 31, had been serving food next to Craster Tourist Information Centre for the last two years, but lost out to a sealed tender.

He said that over the last six weeks the district council had been unable to confirm whether it would be issuing licences. On March 16 it confirmed that it required interested parties to submit a tender by March 23.

But last Thursday he was told by an answerphone message that he had been unsuccessful – giving him just under a week's notice of his impending unemployment .

Mr Grant said: "I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news and felt physically sick. I have strived and worked hard over the last two years building up my business, endeavouring to provide a first class service for both visitors and locals."

The news rocked the community and a petition to save the business was signed by nearly 350 people.

Mr Grant said: "It is still my intention to have the council reinstate my licence and the overwhelming support I have had has been incredible."
Council officers have since met Mr Grant to try and find a resolution.

A county council spokesman confirmed yesterday: "Council officers are meeting with Mr Grant and the successful tender to see if a compromise can be met which would satisfy both parties."

He added:"We do sympathise with Mr Grant's situation and understandably he is upset, however he has always known that it was never exclusively his pitch, that it was open to competitive tender and that if he wasn't successful, then his licence would expire on March 31.

"We knew Mr Grant was anxious to find out the outcome of the tender process and within an hour of the bids being opened, a council officer rang Mr Grant to inform him of the result. When he wasn't available, a message was left.

"While it may have been perceived as insensitive, it certainly wasn't intended in this manner. On the contrary, the officer involved was known to Mr Grant and was trying to get the information to him as soon as he could.""