AN ice cream man who feared he would not be allowed to continue selling in a city park is celebrating after being assured he will continue to be welcome.
Thousands backed Tony Winn when rumours surfaced that he would not be allowed to sell ice creams from his van in Wharton Park, Durham City, when it reopens next month.
Durham County Council has now confirmed Mr Winn will be welcome in the refurbished park.
He said: “We had a good meeting and it all ended up brilliant. I’m just pleased it’s sorted and the support has been unreal. It feels good.”
Oliver Sherratt, Durham County Council’s corporate director for neighbourhood services, said: “We were pleased to have given assurance to Mr Winn that he would be very welcome in Wharton Park.
“Indeed, rather than causing a problem as he had thought, the sale of ice-cream will actually complement the variety of refreshments available in the new café.
“Let’s hope for some decent summer weather now, so that visitors will be able to see this fabulous park at its very best.”
Mr Winn, who is the third generation of his family to sell ice creams, visited the park with his van for nearly 50 years before it closed temporarily for a £3m Lottery-backed revamp last May.
The 68-year-old, from Langley Moor, 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.
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