My supporters are the cream of the crop...
AN ice cream man has thanked people for their “overwhelming support” after a petition calling on him to keep his pitch passed 5,000 signatures.
Gary Redfearn has been selling Huddersfield-made Dixons Milk Ices in and around Beaumont Park for more than 20 years.
But the 59-year-old recently lost his pitch at the Huddersfield beauty spot - which was put out to tender by Kirklees Council - after it was awarded to a company based in Bradford.
In the aftermath of the decision, a petition was launched calling on Gary to be allowed to continue selling Dixons ice cream at the park.
The petition is still live and more than 5,200 people have added their name to the cause.
Gary, who lives in Netherton, said he has been inundated with well-wishes since losing the tender.
He said: “I am very overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted me. When I was on my round yesterday so many people stopped me to say they had signed the petition.
“It was a fair tender - I have no problem with that at all. They (the council) asked me to tender for it and I lost - that is how it is. The upsetting part is that it has not gone to a Huddersfield company. That is the only issue that I have got really.”
The decision to award the popular spot to a company outside of Huddersfield sparked outrage among Examiner readers, with many taking to Facebook to voice their concerns.
Jason McCartney, MP for Colne Valley, also waded in on the debate on social media where he revealed he has asked Kirklees Council to “think again”.
Kirklees Council has been approached for comment.
I am very overwhelmed by the number of people who have contacted
me.