Ice cream seller Melvin Nobbs has received a flurry of support from readers after being told he will no longer be able to sell his cold treats outside Deal Castle.

Last week, the Mercury reported that, after 30 years, the 62-year-old had been served a notice to quit by English Heritage while it applies for a licence to serve fast food, drinks and snacks.

Responding to the article, one letter writer said they were sorry to lose his “excellent ice cream” in exchange for a “smelly burger van”.

Online readers commented that the charity’s move was “ridiculous” as they are selling completely different products and selling burgers is “not the way forward”. Peter Davis, of Middle Street, Deal, said: “I was sorry to read in the Mercury that English Heritage wants to replace Melvin Nobbs’ excellent ice cream van with a smelly burger van.

“I have enjoyed Melvin’s ice creams over many years outside Deal Castle, and if I want a good burger there are plenty of restaurants in Deal serving them.”

He said English Heritage’s staff in Deal Castle are delightful but the castle is “a grossly underused local asset”. He would like to see them put on more annual events to attract visitors, such as marking Anne of Cleves staying at the castle on her way to meet husband-to-be Henry VIII.2

Since 2014, Mr Nobbs, of Ethelbert Road, has been giving English Heritage 20% of his profits for trading on their land.

Despite this, he told the Mercury he would not be able to earn the money anywhere else. He said: “I’ll struggle to get other work. I’m worried because I have a family and a mortgage to pay.”

Kainan Harrison wrote on KentOnline: “It’s such a shame that after 30 years of serving the people of Deal, Melvin Nobbs has been sacked from his job because English Heritage want to bring in their own business and push him out.

“There is no competition involved as they are selling two completely different products! One is an ice cream van and the other is a burger van.”

He thinks that’s English Heritage’s proposed food van is “ugly”.

Nikki Davies said: “What is wrong with both vans being used. Some people like ice creams, some burgers?”

Christine Darby, a former Guilford Road resident now living in Sandwich, said: “It’s such a shame and not the way forward. Imagine the litter it will create, too.” Deal Town Council’s planning committee has recommended refusal for English Heritage’s van.

Neil McCollum, English Heritage director for the South East, said: “We have always had a good working relationship with Mr Nobbs and we extended the notice we gave him so he could trade from Deal Castle over the busy Easter holidays.

“I’m sorry that he’s worried, but I know that Deal Castle is not his sole patch, he also trades successfully from a number of different locations across the town, and we wish him all the best.”