Snack van popular with Sheffield Wednesday 'forced out' of retail park, owners claim

Steve and Kerry Ford have based Flavours Food Bar on Kilner Way Retail Park since 2003 but said they'd been told by the site's owners that their rent will double from next month.

Steve said he had been told by landlord Derwent Group that their rent would increase as a similar business was willing to pay the higher amount.

"We have been here for 15 years through thick and thin. We were here when there was nothing, just a Somerfield and now it's been developed we've been told there was somebody else willing to pay more," he said.

"The van is our livelihood and it's not as easy as starting up elsewhere. We've got a lot of regular customers and know a lot of people in the area. A lot of Wednesday fans who come to Hillsborough that way call in on their way to the match.

"It's not as easy as just finding another pitch because there is so much red tape to pass through in terms of licences."

Steve said the van, which was originally known among customers and Owls fans as The Butty Man, set up outside the Costa coffee unit on the retail park and pleaded with the owners to think again.

"We have always paid our rent on time and never had any problems before so I just don't get it. We're not old enough to retire and if we do have to move, it's going to be hard because we've got so many regular customers."

Derwent Group was unavailable to comment.