Ice cream man ‘in limbo’ over park pitch

A ICE cream man says he’s in the dark about whether he will lose his prized park pitch.

Sunday was supposed to be Gary Redfearn’s last day selling Dixons ice cream at Beaumont Park.

Gary, 59, lost his pitch after Kirklees Council put it out to tender and a Bradford company beat him to it.

But Gary says he hasn’t received confirmation from the council and there are rumours that the other company may not take on the pitch.

Gary, who has been selling ice cream for more than 20 years, said: “We are hoping that something might change, but we just don’t know.

“We’ve had a little bit of confirmation from some sources saying that the company from Bradford may not take the tender.” He added: “I’m a bit apprehensive because we are just in a limbo at the moment.

“We are waiting for some confirmation from Kirklees Council.”

Gary is hoping for a definite answer but has thanked people for signing the petition ‘Keep Dixon’s ice cream at Beaumont Park,’ which was set up by Tara Calvin.

He said: “It’s been quite emotional, the support has been fantastic and it is all due to Tara down at the gatehouse – she’s had a big part in that and I’d like to thank her very much. She’s done such a wonderful job.”

Whatever the outcome, people will still be able to see Gary on his rounds and enjoy a Dixons ice cream.

Gary, who used to work for an engineering company and as a market trader, said he started out in the industry more than two decades ago. He said: “When an ice cream van came up for sale, I didn’t hesitate. Unfortunately, I probably eat about five or six too many every day.”