A council in south-east London has reached a unanimous decision to prohibit the sale of ice cream at a well-known tourist destination, prompting business owners to prepare for yet another battle in the High Court.

Greenwich Council has placed restrictions on mobile ice cream sales on King William Walk, adjacent to Greenwich Park, citing concerns over pedestrian safety and environmental health.

In 2023, the council was compelled by the High Court to conduct a fresh consultation after being challenged by Paul St Hilaire Sr and Jr, who run an ice cream business.

The St Hilaire family has announced their intention to appeal the council’s recent ruling.

During a recent full council session, Cllr Jackie Smith presented the findings from this new court-mandated consultation and recommended that King William Walk be formally recognized as a prohibited zone for “itinerant ice cream trading.”

Despite re-evaluating the situation, the council arrived at the same conclusion regarding the ban.

Cllr Smith expressed that “unregulated trading” posed risks to pedestrian safety, environmental health, and the maintenance of the area’s historical significance.

She clarified that the council was not against ice cream sales in general, but rather opposed to allowing vans to operate on King William Walk due to the safety hazards posed by customer queues on the busy street.

The councillors supported this view and voted in favor of the ban.

The St Hilaires have held a trading license for the location since 2015 and claim that Greenwich Council initially implemented the sales ban without notifying them.

They also assert that they have faced no complaints and have consistently paid all necessary licensing fees.

Paul St Hilaire Jr mentioned they are currently awaiting a High Court hearing regarding the council’s distinct initiative to declare King William Walk a non-licensed street for trading purposes.