POTATO SELLER ‘READY FOR THE FIGHT’
Legal battle looms as trader ordered to move on again
A JACKET potato stand which returned to a shopping precinct after the coronavirus lockdown has now been told it is trading ‘illegally’.
Sudd’s Spuds, which has been a feature of Longton town centre for more than 20 years, had to shut due to the pandemic in March.
But on the first day back, owner David Suddes says he was told by Longton Exchange shopping centre that he was trading unlawfully and needed to remove his stand.
Mr Suddes and Longton Exchange have been locked in a legal battle since December as the shopping centre wants to remove Sudd’s Spuds from the precinct.
But the potato stand began a campaign to save the business from closure, which received more than 7,000 signatures. They are due to go to court in October.
Mr Suddes, aged 65, said: “I received an injunction from Longton Exchange on my doorstep, saying I am not allowed to return to Longton to trade.
“But my solicitors were able to get the injunction overturned. When I came back to work on June 17, Longton Exchange approached me and said I was trading illegally and if I didn’t leave they would call the police. They were trying to kick me off on my first day back. They didn’t tell me this at 9am, they waited until 11.30am when all my jacket potatoes were cooked and ready to go.
“I took along my papers to their office to show that the injunction was not valid and I was able to trade. Now I will continue to trade until we see them in court in October. We’re ready for the fight and so are the people of Longton.
“We’ve survived coronavirus and we will survive this court battle.”
Mr Suddes has put in place various social distancing measures, plus hand sanitiser, wipes and disinfectant.
Employee Lisa Dutton says customers can message their orders to her and they are ready for them when they arrive.
The 48-year-old, from Longton, said: “Some even pull up in their car and we take the potato to them. They don’t even have to get out.”
Customers are happy to see Sudd’s Spuds back in town.
Christine Burton, aged 68, from Longton, said: “We missed them while they were gone. It is terrible what Longton Exchange are doing to them. It’s caused so much aggravation and stress for them. We wouldn’t come to Longton as much if it wasn’t for Sudd’s Spuds.”
Linda Gibson, from Longton, said: “I’ve missed having a jacket potato from them.”
Ward councillor for Broadway and Longton East, Asman Ali, says he continues to back Sudd’s Spuds. He added: “Lots of people go to Longton just to see Dave because he’s been there for years. We want everyone to come back and support him.”
Longton Exchange has declined to comment.