A COUNCIL says it is willing to talk to a third generation ice cream man about his return to a city park, as thousands backed him on Facebook in just a few hours.
Tony Winn sold ice creams from his van in Wharton Park, Durham City, for nearly 50 years until it closed temporarily for a £3m Lottery-backed revamp last May.
The 68-year-old took over his business, Valwin’s of Durham, in 1982, succeeding his parents, Arthur and Olive Winn, and grandparents Vincent and Caterina Valente, Mrs Valente having started out selling ice cream from a barrel and horse and cart after leaving Fascist Italy in the 1920s.
Tony Winn's grandmother Caterine Valente selling ice cream from a horse and cart
But Mr Winn, of Langley Moor, near Durham, fears he may not be allowed to return when Wharton Park reopens next month (May).
Supporters have launched a Facebook campaign to “Bring Back the Ice Cream Van Man”, which has won more than 2,700 followers in just 24 hours.
Now Durham County Council has said it is willing to talk to the popular figure about his return.
Owen Cleugh, the council’s consumer protection manager, said: “Mr Winn’s licence doesn’t relate to trading in Wharton Park but we’ve reiterated that we are really happy to talk to him about this as, though we have a new café, it is not the case that ice cream vans are no longer welcome and we see an important role for traders who can add to the refreshments we offer.”
Tony Winn's grandfather Vincent Valente selling ice cream from a horse and cart
Mr Winn, whose van bears the slogan 'Often lick't but Never Beaten', said: “I intend to go on opening day. If I get stopped, I get stopped.
“It’s something I’ve always done. Wharton Park doesn’t belong to the council, it belongs to the public.
“When it was closed last year, I really felt it. It got me down.
“I’ve seen three or four generations (of customers) and I love the business. I’ve done it all my life.”
Tony Winn's mother Olive, father Arthur, sister-in-law Elsie, brother Alvin, himself, his wife Mary and employee Judy Hopper celebrate winning a national award
Speaking about the support he had received on Facebook, he said: “I’m overwhelmed. I didn’t expect anything like this.”
Mr Cleugh said the council had not refused Mr Winn a street trading licence, rather it had made several attempts to contact him to discuss it and would progress the application quickly once some missing documents had been received.
Wharton Park will reopen at the end of May, with a celebration weekend planned for May 28-29. For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/whartonpark
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