A Sandwich market operator claims he has been “forced out” after a community interest company has taken over its running.

Tony Donnelly, who for 14 years managed the stalls every Thursday on the Guildhall Forecourt, has now stepped down.

He claims he was forced out by Sandwich Tourism Initiative CIC, which bid to run the market and put profits back into events in the town.

The thriving outdoor market, which Mr Donnelly grew from just six stalls to 14, will now be community-run but its former manager said this has left him out of a job.

He said: “If I had a second income I might be able to counter the offer but as my income comes from running the market I felt I was put in an impossible position.”

His contract as operator was up for renewal and Mr Donnelly was invited to a meeting at the town council to discuss its future on April 4 but he was otherwise engaged and couldn’t attend.

"I think it’s been done underhand. Everyone has been shocked in the town..." - Tony Donnelly

Mr Donnelly, who lives in Birchington, said his contract was always renewed in previous years and he had never been asked to bid for it before.

However, following that meeting, he was told that the CIC had put in a bid and claims he felt like it was a “done deal”.

Mr Donnelly was told he could appeal the decision with a three minute speech at the council but said this was not adequate time to get his point across.

He said: “I think it’s been done underhand. Everyone has been shocked in the town.

“I would like to thank Joe Trussler, and councillors of the day in 2002, including the town clerk Tracey Ward. I’d also like to thank the traders for their support over the years in very difficult trading times, and wish them all the best. I’d also like to thank the town clerk Laura Fidler for her support.”

Steve Laslett, director of the Sandwich Tourism Initiative, said the CIC submitted a bid as part of a formal process.

He said: “The council issued terms and conditions that had to be met, considered the bids and awarded the CIC a contract for one year in the first instance.”

From late June, the new manager will be Steve Kircaldie who has been running the fish stall for the last 13 years.

Mr Kircaldie was keen that profits from the market benefit Sandwich, so he teamed up with the Sandwich Tourism Initiative.

He said: “I’m keen to involve the stallholders, existing and new ones as much as possible and make it a true community market. It seems reasonable to me that profits flow back for the good of the town.”