The longstanding traders at a popular Cassiobury Park kiosk will be ousted when a new café opens later this year.

As part of the £6.6m regeneration project, a hub building complete with a café, toilets, changing rooms and an education space will be constructed in the park.

However the team at the Marsala Ices kiosk near the paddling pools will not transfer across to the café when construction is finished, with a joint contract to trade from both the kiosk and the café recently awarded to another bidder.

One faithful customer said the workers had served his wife, children and grandchildren for many years “with kindness, care, consideration and, most importantly, a smile”.

“It will be a sad day to see them have to leave the park,” he added.

READ MORE: New pictures of Cassiobury Park transformation revealed

Watford borough councillor Peter Taylor, responsible for client services, praised the Marsala Ices team but said the council had to consider all options when putting the contract out to tender: “We’ve had a long standing association with Marsala Ices kiosk, and they have done a great job at the paddling pools for many years.

“The council does have an obligation to abide by procurement guidelines and as part of the refurbishment at Cassiobury Park all our contracts were re-tendered. We selected the preferred bidder for the hub cafeteria and kiosk contract after reviewing seven high quality submissions, including one from Marsala Ices, and have been in touch with those who were unsuccessful.

“We value the contribution Marsala Ices made to Cassiobury over the years and we are currently in touch with them about other opportunities coming up.”