ICE cream vans are melting away from Brighton because of high charges being made by the borough council.

British Bulldog has complained to Brighton and Hove Council about the fees of nearly £900 a van for trading in the town. Owner Sean Kempin said: "All other local authorities in the South do not make a charge for mobile ice cream vans. "This is costing me £7,000 a year. All I want is a level playing field so that I can operate in the same way as other traders." Mr Kempin said other ice cream vans had been driven out of Brighton by the fees so his was the only firm left. He said the fees jeopardised his own business and that if it collapsed, staff would be made redundant. Brighton and Hove councillors were told that fees varied widely. Blackpool charged £10, Bath £3,718, Camden £1,400 and Westminster £4,300. Tory councillor Brian Hunt said: "The charge seems to be extraordinarily high, especially when you consider that we charge much less for licensing taxis." He added that ice cream vans generally provided a good service to the community. Coun Geoff Wells said: "It is a lot of money to pay, especially for a trade that is seasonal." Councillors have called for a report on how the charges are compiled.

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