People in Deal are set to lose the ice cream van which serves them their favourite summer treat as English Heritage makes way for its new burger van.

Melvin Nobbs, 62, says he has been trading from his traditional motor outside Deal Castle for more than 30 years but now the charity has served him notice to quit while it applies for a licence to serve fast food, drinks and snacks.

The Ethelbert Road resident was asked to sign a contract in 2014 entitling English Heritage to 20% of his profits for trading from its land.

He agreed and since told The Mercury: “I was a bit shocked to get lumbered with a contract. I thought at the time, ‘my days are numbered,’ and now this has come about.

“It’s disappointing because the manager of the castle came out last summer saying that he wanted to tell me first that there was going to be a burger van but it wouldn’t affect the ice cream van. The only thing it would affect would be the cold drinks.

“The money that I get here, I wouldn’t be able to earn anywhere else. I give them 20% which is a fair whack.

“I’ll struggle to get other work. I’m worried because I have a family and a mortgage to pay.”

At first, Mr Nobbs used to park up on the grass area every Saturday and Sunday but, having built up a reputation over three decades, he is often there on weekdays too. On a really good day he will serve up to 300 whippy ice creams which he prides himself on.

He said: “That’s what people want and that’s why people come here. I sell a totally fresh product whereas many others sell a long life ice cream. It’s made in London by an Italian company. People say it’s so nice and creamy.

“There’s a lot of people who come here now because they know I’ve been here for so many years.”

Mr Nobbs said he has also just invested in another van and driver to ensure this van could become a permanent summer fixture on the promenade with the second van travelling around.

His wife Helen, a nurse at Deal Hospital who provides end of life care to elderly patients, is also concerned.

The couple have a 15-year-old daughter who they may need to financially support through her further education and possibly university.

English Heritage have told him there may be the opportunity to extend the notice.

Mr Nobbs said: “But I don’t know what I’m doing. I need security.” The news comes after the Mercury reported on residents’ concerns about the potential smell of the mobile food stall as well as attracting seagulls and littering. Cowan Galloway, who lives opposite the 16th century castle in Orchid Mews, off Gladstone Road, said: “I really am incensed that someone can lose their livelihood in this cavalier way.

“Melvin has been there for more than 30 years. He is part and parcel of the furniture and seascape. He has no other means of an income.

“What is our next move? Should the burghers of Deal rally to Melvin?”

Deal Town Council’s planning committee recommended refusal for English Heritage’s van in a unanimous decision taken at a meeting last Wednesday.

English Heritage says Mr Nobbs has been the only food seller allowed to operate on this particular stretch of beach since 2014.

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.”