Ynys Môn MS calls again on Land & Lakes to allow the popular ‘burger van’ to resume trading at long-standing Penrhos site.

Ynys Môn Member of the Senedd, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has asked Land & Lakes to look again at the decision to terminate the business’ contract, which came as a huge disappointment to both Blue Davies, the business owner who has been operating at the site for 10 years, and to many in the local community who were regular customers pre-Covid. 1,624 people have signed a petition calling on the company to reconsider the decision.

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:

“I appreciate that trading had to be ceased during the lockdown period in the interests of public safety, and to comply with regulations, but the decision to permanently terminate Pete’s Burger Bar’s agreement has raised strong feelings in the local community.

“Now that restrictions have been eased locally, I am calling on Land & Lakes to reinstate the contract, especially given that the business has given an assurance that steps can be put in place to ensure that clusters of people do not gather in an unsafe manner, and that risks could be mitigated through safe Covid-19 practices.

“What we have here is a business, operated by a young family, who face financial uncertainty and are eager to keep trading at Penrhos as they have done successfully for years. They are willing to work with Land & Lakes and relevant authorities to agree on a safe way to operate, and I strongly believe that they should be given the opportunity to do so.”

Blue Davies, who runs Pete’s Burger Bar, said:

“It was a shock that our contract with Land & Lakes was terminated just as lockdown started easing and the coastal park re-opened. They are telling me that the decision is being upheld because of concerns surrounding social distancing in the car park. I have offered to work with both Land & Lakes and the local authority in ensuring that I operate the business safely and make proper use of signage and cones and so on, but I’m not being given that opportunity.

“I am overwhelmed with the support I’ve received from the community at this difficult time for us as a young family, and urge the company to look again at the decision to allow me to keep trading. I have enquired with the County Council about an alternative spot at Newry beach as I really need to get back out trading as soon as possible, but preferably I would like to get back up and running at Penrhos.”