A beloved ice cream vendor is at the center of a dispute with the local council after being unexpectedly removed from his usual spot in Wisbech Park.
Frank Cannata, 67, inherited his family’s ice cream business—Frank’s Ices—from his father and began serving customers at the park fifteen years ago. Following notice from Fenland District Council that they would no longer be permitted to operate within the park, replaced by a new cafe venture, Cannata and his wife, Jo, responded by offering free ice cream to the community every Saturday.
With help from family members, Frank’s Ices has been distributing frozen treats from a location across from the park, driven by a commitment to their dedicated clientele. Last weekend alone, they distributed over one thousand servings.
“The community has supported me for 15 years,” Cannata shared with The People’s Channel. “I’ve watched children grow up here; some have even gotten married and started families of their own. I don’t want to leave, and they certainly don’t want me to.” He added with a smile that he doesn’t mind customers enjoying the free ice cream as long as they do so responsibly.
Here are some recent developments in local council matters:
* Binmen refusing to empty overflowing bins citing new regulations.
* Ancient oak trees facing removal for construction of a new building.
* A dispute dividing a village between fishermen and second homeowners regarding noise levels from a boatyard.
Currently, Frank’s Ices is operating on a donation-only basis, with proceeds benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital.
While expressing skepticism about returning to the park under normal circumstances, Cannata emphasized that his current location has legal standing. “I don’t have a license,” he explained, “but they’ll have to come up with a reason for me not being there. If that happens, I’ll pursue necessary licenses – it doesn’t matter as long as I’m not selling.”
Cannata remained philosophical regarding the situation, stating, “Life goes on.” He concluded optimistically, encouraging locals to “watch this space”.
The family business has a rich history, having been established by Cannata’s father in 1957 and continuing for three decades before he retired.
Fenland District Council declined to provide comment due to being within a pre-election period that restricts official communications. Wisbech Town Council has also been contacted for their perspective.
As Cannata put it, “Basically, that’s life, really, at the end of the day.”
