AN ICE cream vendor will be allowed to sell from a permanent spot on the High Street despite concerns it would hit trade in neighbouring businesses.

Bears Great Escapes had its application to sell ice cream from a tricycle on a permanent spot next to the Elgar statue in Worcester High Street backed by councillors.

An objection had been raised by Michelle and Mark Rasdall of neighbouring Mr. Simm's Olde Sweet Shoppe over concerns it would disrupt trade in the High Street and thwart their plans to sell ice cream.

Sweet shop owners Mr and Mrs Rasdall, whose business sits 80 metres from the famous Elgar statue, said their business was already “extremely fragile” because of lockdown.

The sweet shop said it had been looking at selling ice cream in February, but plans fell through when they lost thousands of pounds worth of stock which would have usually been sold during Easter.

Bears Great Escapes owner Steven Connolly said he had an excellent track record and allowing him to sell ice cream from the tricycle next to the statue would be an asset to the High Street.

He said businesses at that end of the High Street were supportive of him selling ice cream from a permanent location as it would also bring them more trade.

The sweet shop had raised concerns that allowing a permanent ice cream stall would hit trade at Mr. Simm's and other surrounding High Street businesses.

“The Elgar statue has long since been a meeting place and congregational area for visitors and this should be encouraged for all of us who trade in the area. Curtailing the free space around the statue in order to accommodate an ice cream queue is not what we need right now,” the objection by Mr and Mrs Rasdall said.

The owners were also concerned cash would be tight after lockdown and parents with less money in their pockets would be forced into choosing either ice cream or buying from the sweet shop – impacting their business even further.

Mr Connelly had his application quickly granted by Worcester City Council's licensing subcommittee at a meeting on Friday (August 7).