Ice cream stall quits market in row over lease.
Due to a new lease arrangement, an ice cream stand that has been a fixture of Norwich Market for 88 years has closed consecutively.
The venerable Aldous Ices brand, owned by Lakenham Creamery, first appeared on the market in 1937 as a waggon, then as a van and most recently as a front row stall.
After being informed that it must operate year-round and at a rental charge that was 15% higher than the previous year, the company claimed it felt “forced” to give up the booth.
The change was made in the midst of several changes at the market, and the city council expressed regret that Lakenham Creamery believed the agreement “was no longer viable”.
Between November and Easter, when ice cream was not in strong demand, Lakenham Creamery’s stall, known as Stall 8, would typically close, according to manager Damian Hunt.
The rent this year, which excludes a market service charge and other expenses, has increased to £9,000 from the company’s previous lease of £7,800 plus VAT.
IMAGE SOURCE, STALL 8
“Unfortunately the cost of the rent, and staffing costs, it just wouldn’t be viable,” stated Hunt.
“I feel like it’s a decision that’s been forced upon us.” They haven’t explained why we would need to be open year-round; maybe it’s because we are at the front.
Normally, there is a rent rise every year, and this one is very significant.” He stated that leaving the market was “very sad” and did not rule out returning, possibly as a pop-up.
“It’s been a huge part of the business’s history since the 1930s,” he stated. “There are a lot of memories of people being taken there as children, and then taking their children.”
The council stated that it was trying to fill seven further empty stalls by the end of the year and that an adjacent fruit and vegetable stall will occupy the vacant unit.
“As a popular and vibrant market, new tenants set up business quite regularly,” said a spokesperson.
“We also work with existing traders to expand or relocate within the site to grow their businesses.”
The market will eventually be reconstructed, and the most widely supported proposal in a public consultation was the establishment of a new centre court.
According to the council, the ideas are still being developed, and later this autumn, recommendations will be made public.
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