Nearly 2,000 sign petition to save Aylesbury business as Bucks Council change the locks
There is a dispute over the decision not to renew Fruity Tooty's lease
Last updated 4th Aug 2021
An Aylesbury businesses are facing an uncertain future after lease issues with Buckinghamshire Council.
A petition to save Aylesbury company Fruity Tooty is nearing 2,000 signatures, as the dispute with Bucks Council over lease renewal issues carries on.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic Fruity Tooty were moved into a unit at Aylesbury Vale Retail Park, giving them space to keep up with the demand for fruit and veg boxes.
This agreement was put under a temporary lease and has been renewed every 3 months since, they believed this would become a longer term agreement once things settled.
However, when it came to the latest renewal they were told by the Council they had 10 days to vacate the unit which would have seen them leave on Sunday.
This is because an arrangement has been made with another company to take over 3 units at the park.
However, despite the contract running out on Sunday to company did not leave. Stating they are unable to store the fridges and produce at another space given the short notice they were given.
Fruity Tooty have now told Greatest Hits Radio Bucks that the locks have been changed by Buckinghamshire Council over night.
The fruit and veg company have gained access and are continuing to trade currently.
A statement from Fruity Tooty reads:
"Our business plan was always to support new and upcoming small businesses who need that extra exposure and support. We pride ourselves on this!
"We wanted to give back to the local community and create a self sustaining ecosystem of small businesses, who we hope will flourish and create local jobs for local people.
"This was a business strategy not supported by the Council and they stated that this type of venture was not part of their future strategy for the retail park."
John Chilver, Cabinet Member Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets, said:
“The Council have supported Fruity Tooty since May last year by providing a short term and flexible lease of a unit as an interim measure aiding the Covid effort and the growth of their business.
"Their lease has come to an end and the Council has agreed terms with a new long-term commercial tenant for the retail park. The Council’s property investments are a crucial source of income which support a wide range of local services across the county, and we need to balance the needs of the residents of Buckinghamshire as a whole.
"We appreciate the crucial role Fruity Tooty have played during the pandemic and they remain a much-loved local business who we want to continue to help and support.”