Fury As Spencer's Cafe in Walpole Park is Officially Closed Down
Council change locks and remove personal items of former owner
Supporters of Spencer's Cafe in Walpole Park whose lease ran out on Monday ( 30th April) are furious over how the former owners have been treated after being moved on this week.
Alan Dillon and partner Sarah Lennon have been battling both Ealing Council and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Trust ( PMGT) over the takeover of the popular cafe.
Thousands of people have supported them,signed a petition and highlighted what they believe is a conflict of interest as to how the catering contract was awarded.
They have pointed to family links between the owner of The winning firm 'Social Pantry' and the Chair of the PMGT and believe the bidding process was unfair.
Mr Dillon ,who had been told he had to leave on 30th April, said they arrived at the kiosk today ( Wed ) after being alerted their possessions were being forcibly removed.
He says on arrival they were shocked to find: ''the freezers and fridges had been taken out, one freezer had been broken. Food and possessions unceremoniously being thrown into bags and out. We tried to gain access to the freezers and fridges and the till and money but this had been locked in the courtyard of the Rickyard courtyard.
''The way we have been treated has been nothing short of contemptible. We have now as of this morning lost everything. They didn’t even allow us time to hire a van and if it wasn’t for the help from some local residents gave to salvage what we could, even this would have been lost.''
An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “Mr Dillon accepted a three month extension to his lease following the end of his original agreement in January. He was well aware that his tenancy at the kiosk ended at 5pm on 30 April and received both verbal and written confirmation.
“The council changed the locks for the kiosk, which is the normal practice. Today (Wed) the council made arrangements to move Mr Dillon’s equipment to a covered area in the Rickyard for a few hours until he collected it this afternoon.
“The next step is to transfer over the kiosk to the new operator, who will open to the public in the near future.”
Mr Dillon is now seeking legal advice and hoping to raise money through a Crowdfunding campaign to contest the actions of the council and PMGT.
May 2nd 2018