Stonehaven’s popular Seafood Bothy has been forced to close after being moved from its spot by Aberdeenshire Council due to pier works.
Owner Maria Lewis received a call from the authority’s street trader’s department informing her she is no longer allowed to trade in her new position.
Council officials were initially the ones who moved her to the Shorehead area, but now say she does not have the right licence.
According to Mrs Lewis, despite having permission to go to the new spot from council staff, she received some “unexpected” backlash from residents.
No complaints have been made about the trader while it was open at its previous location but it is understood road safety concerns due to customers queuing on the street have been raised.
Mrs Lewis is now hopeful the renovated horsebox will be able to move back to a position at the pier by the weekend.
The local authority has arranged a small area at the opposite end of the pier to enable her to keep trading.
Mrs Lewis needs to check the area will be suitable for the business and hopes to get her staff back to work as soon as possible.
She has praised the council for all their help and is grateful to them for doing “what they can” to get her back open as quickly as possibly.
Complaints from residents
At around 10.30am on Thursday, the street trader’s department called Mrs Lewis to inform her several residents had complained.
They explained that because she does not have a street trader’s licence for beside the road, she would not be able to operate from that spot.
Mrs Lewis: “It’s a difficult one, I have to put myself in their shoes as well, but the way they’ve gone about it is despicable – it’s not nice, it’s not pleasant, I wasn’t causing any harm in the position I was in.
“They caught me on the fact I only have a street traders licence for the pier I was on. But because the council were the people that moved me to the new place, they’ve got me on the fact that I don’t have a licence for that position.
“It’s ridiculous, but that’s the rules and I have to follow them.”
In a social media post, Mrs Lewis wrote that they “aim to be open as soon as possible” and have apologised for any convenience caused.
Messages of support have been posted on the Seafood Bothy’s Facebook page following the news.
‘I didn’t choose the position’
To be able to stay and trade in the new position Mrs Lewis will need to reapply for a licence – which could take between three to six months.
The works on the pier will continue for the rest of the year meaning she will not be able to return to her position for the rest of the season.
The Seafood Bothy employs 10 people and Mrs Lewis said it was “really upsetting” calling them all today to let them know they might not have a job for the rest of the season.
She also explained that because she has been forced to close with immediate effect she will lose all her fresh stock for the day.
“I don’t think it’s the council’s fault to be honest,” she said. “It’s a local small bunch of people that want to express their negativity and have managed to get me shut down.
“The council are doing what they can to rectify it as quickly as possible, but meanwhile, I’ve got to wait and see if there’s anything they can do.
“It’s unfair, I didn’t ask to be moved and I didn’t choose the position of where I was moved.”
She added: “We will be trading again, despite the challenges.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman has confirmed the Seafood Bothy will be able to return to the pier temporarily.
He said: “With Stonehaven Harbour piling works now commencing, public safety is our overriding concern.
“Initially, the vendor was required to relocate from the net pier, however, following ongoing discussions aimed at supporting this local business, the Seafood Bothy will temporarily return to the pier while we look to establish a longer-term solution which will allow the business to continue trading while these essential harbour works proceed.”
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