It’s proved a hugely popular addition to Herrington Country Park - but the owner of The Coal Face Coffee Trailer has been told that Sunderland City Council will not be renewing his contract to trade at the beauty spot.

David Lamb has received a groundswell of support after he received a phone call from Sunderland City Council this week to say that his contract to trade in the park will not be renewed past March this year.

David Lamb's Coal Face Coffee Trailer has proved a popular fixture at the park | Submitted

placeholder image — David Lamb's Coal Face Coffee Trailer has proved a popular fixture at the park | Submitted

Since opening the coffee trailer in a converted horsebox last summer, the city businessman has proved a big draw to the bottom car park near the park’s main lake.

It’s become a focal point for a number of groups who use the park, from dog walkers and park runners to men’s mental health groups who stop by the trailer as part of their meetings.

The news comes ahead of the park hosting Radio 1’s Big Weekend from May 22-24.

David said: “The council have decided not to run a coffee concession while the park is being prepped for the Big Weekend.

David has been told that, as it stands, he can't trade at the park past March this year. | Submitted

“It’s despite me being hugely popular and becoming a big part of people coming down the park. I’ve attracted people from Hartlepool, Alnwick and even further afield who have said they’ve come down just to try my coffee as they’ve heard so much about the trailer.

“It’s a big shame. We have men’s mental health groups who meet at the trailer for their walks, pensioners who drive down to sit with a coffee and watch the ducks etc. People like they can just grab a coffee here, it’s the likes of these people who I feel most sorry for. It seems a strange decision to completely remove a popular tiny horse trailer when the park is so big.”

David has been told the contract to trade won’t be looked at again until July. He has asked if he can relocate to other areas of the park, but has not been told if that is possible as yet.

Since posting about the news, he’s received a huge wave of support from the local community who would like to see The Coal Face Coffee Trailer remain as part of park life.

A spokesperson from Sunderland City Council said: “The Coal Face Coffee Van has a contract to trade in Herrington Country Park until the end of March. As Herrington Country Park is undergoing a programme of parks infrastructure works, we are currently unable to retender the contract for this pitch.

“The city council will be happy to consider suitable alternative locations or opportunities as soon as possible.”