A popular ice cream man who has served his community for 20 years could lose his patch after Waltham Forest council decided to put his contract out to tender.

Michael Bell’s van has been a popular feature of Ridgeway Park, in Peel Close, Chingford, since 1996.

He claims he has had a rolling contract for his pitch with Waltham Forest council, which has been renewed every three years.

However the father-of-two from Romford was informed of the decision to put the site out for tender just after being barred from entering Chingford Big Weekender in August last year.

Since then, a petition calling on the council to retain Mr Bell’s contract has accumulated over 1,700 signatures.

The 54-year-old said: “It is amazing the level of support from local people and I never expected anything like the number of signatures on the petition.

“I thought it would only get a few hundred so nearly 2,000 is incredible.

“It is nice to know people appreciate me and my business, it shows the whole community feel strongly about it.

“I have been successful here because I have kept prices low, a new business could be charging a lot more for ice creams.

“I want to council to communicate with me, I don’t know what to bid in the tender process or what figure it is after, it should be protecting local businesses like mine.”

Conservatives Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith met with him and his many supporters on Friday afternoon (March 4).

He said he will write to the council asking it to overturn the tendering process and renew Mr Bell’s contract.

The petition will also be sent to the council to show the sheer magnitude of support from the community.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “The council’s decision on this will impact greatly on the livelihood of both Mr Bell’s business and the local community, who have enjoyed ice cream in the park for the last 20 years.

“I don’t know why the council are doing this and am urging them to renew Mr Bell’s rolling contract in time for the summer season.”

Labour councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader of Waltham Forest council, said that Mr Bell will be allowed to trade until the end of 2016.

He said: “We are putting a fairer system in place that encourages all traders who operate in public spaces to apply to trade in our parks.

“We have already asked for expressions of interest from traders and will go out to tender shortly, with a target of having new agreements in place by summer 2016.

“We have contacted Mr Bell directly about this, and he has expressed an interest in taking part in the tender process.

“If he does decide to take part his application will be given due consideration along with any others we receive.

“It would not be fair for us to give preferential treatment to any one trader, and no decisions have been made at this stage.

“Mr Bell has not had a three-year rolling contract with us since 2008, and since that point he has been granted a licence on an annual basis.”

To sign the online petition click here.