Flyte Bar owners disappointed at Council’s handling of food truck trial

Owners of Flyte Bar in Market Place behind the Town Hall have criticised the way the trial of having food trucks has been handled by Henley Town Council.

In mid-January, Henley Town Council and Flyte Bar agreed a verbal agreement to a 3-month trial having food trucks parked on 2 car parking spaces next to the bar the Council leases to highlight the richness of local food vendors.

It was agreed that the trucks would park from 5.00-9.00pm on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and the trucks would be from local suppliers (within 15 mile radius).  The bar agreed to pay the Council and would offer the space for free to vendors with no commission on takings.

Daniel Banks from Flyte Bar said, “On the 27 March, I spoke to the Council who said that they had a number of complaints.  At that point we agreed just to do Friday evenings.

The trial was due to end on 1 May.  On the 27 April, Daniel was informed that he couldn’t continue because of the all the complaints.  At this point he asked to see a copy of the complaints. After waiting five weeks, and after telling the Council he was going to make a Freedom of Information request, he received copies of the complaints on 8 June. Daniel said the documents showed one complaint had been received after 27 March and that there were nine complaints in total, three of which he said were submitted by a town councillor raising issues with “potential” anti-social behaviour.

Daniel said, “The Council raised concerns about people just getting a takeaway and not coming into the bar. I’m not sure how you can stop this if they see a food truck and fancy what they are offering.”

On 26 June, Daniel met with the members of the Town Council and was told that it wasn’t worth the money or hassle they had experienced.  Daniel said, “This has been handled really badly and I was surprised I received nothing in writing or that it didn’t go through an official committee.  As a small business who is bringing footfall into the town I’m disappointed of their attitude for a small of number complaints. When we had Ginger Wings, over 100 people came because of their following.  There was one truck which was too big for the spaces and had bright lights but we agreed with the Council that we wouldn’t book that again.”

A spokesperson for Henley Town Council said, “The Council is committed to supporting local businesses and, where appropriate, is prepared to trial new initiatives to help create opportunities within the town. In this instance, a short-term three-month trial was agreed to assess whether allowing food trucks to operate from the council spaces would be beneficial and viable. As this was a small operational trial, it was managed under existing officer delegated authority and did not require consideration by a Council committee.”

“During the trial, the Council received feedback and complaints from a number of parties. These were considered as part of the review process alongside the wider objectives of the trial. The three-month trial has now concluded. The Council has invited the business owner to put forward alternative proposals should they wish to continue operating, and these will be considered on their merits, taking into account the feedback received and the Council’s commitment to supporting local businesses while balancing the interests of other businesses, residents and users of Council facilities.”

Separately, Kerrera Craft Beer & Wine Bar which recently opened in Gardiner Place has also stalled having food trucks on the private land due to one complaint.  Owner Callum Stewart said, “We take complaints seriously and have temporarily stopped.  We are working with the managing agent to discuss how we can work within the guidelines and be respectful to our neighbours.  We want to bring people into town and the more we can offer the better and food trucks are good alternative to the cost of dining out.  We’ve had some kind words and good support since we opened.”