New food trucks at Aberdeen Beach effectively banned after councillors back licence freeze

New food trucks looking to set up at Aberdeen Beach face being turned away after councillors agreed to stop granting new licences amid overcrowding fears.

Aberdeen City Council’s licensing committee met to decide the fate of new street vendors wishing to join the dozens of eateries along the beach between Footdee and Queens Links retail park.

Council officials first raised concerns at a meeting in September about the impact that more food trucks could have on the beach masterplan, which is currently under development.

It is noted that the move is not a ban on existing traders, but any new vendors wishing to set up would likely be turned away.

Ahead of the licensing meeting, the council’s position was that “the policy should be amended so there is a presumption against granting new street trading applications in the beachfront area, other than renewals”.

Derek Park, who operates Croque Toasties, has been at the beach for three years and says it was the “safer financial option” than opening a store in the city centre.

He told STV News that accessibility is a reason so many vendors want to be located at the beach, with parking available, and said: “There’s something here for all the family”.

Mr Park has just had his licence renewed by the council, which he says has handled the issue “the best way they can”.

He said: “The atmosphere at the beach is second to none; that’s a massive part of why I have stayed there, and while there might be some negativity, there are a lot of positives as well. The staff, the business owners and I have a lot of regulars, so that aspect is great.”

Accessibility attracting vendors to Aberdeen Beach

While the beach masterplan is ongoing, Mr Park said he was surprised that no one from the council had been in touch with businesses, saying traders need to be involved.

He has now spoken to the council and hopes to work with them to see how street vendors fit into the masterplan.

This will allow him to plan for the future as he is keen to upgrade his food truck.

The owner of La Casa Burrito, Stuart McKenzie, said the beach is a great spot which attracts many vendors.

He said: “We are a big community at the beach. We help each other a lot. We want each other to do good because it will attract more people at beach to try our food and drinks.

“I think the beach is a lovely spot, we have the best view and great people coming by to have a chat or try different foods.”

A new vendor to the beach is Otavio Ferriera, who opened Jungle Berry Acai at the beach following feedback from customers wanting an “acai bowl by the beach”.

He told STV News that he started the process back in May and was granted a license in September and has been welcomed by other food vendors on the beach.

He said: “Setting up at the beach is not as easy as you think, but the community there are amazing, and when it comes to the winter months, they definitely show resilience.”

“Customers were coming into the shop all the time and asking if we would set up at the beach because parking was easier, with the city centre difficult to get to.”

He said the licence conditions at the beach are already strict, but believes the council should have consulted businesses on their views before moving ahead.

He also said trailers are often complained about for looking “abandoned”.

Some businesses along the beach operate only on certain days of the week and at certain times of the year, with vendors much quieter during the winter months.

Councillors at the licensing committee meeting on Wednesday unanimously agreed to the changes.