THE shutters remain closed on a park-side cafe that shut in Dartmouth two months ago – and South Hams Council says it cannot reveal who the new operator is.

Colin Brown was forced to quit the snack shack last November after losing a council tender to run the business on the edge of Coronation Park.

Browney’s was a popular port of call for early morning dog walkers, builders, taxi drivers and river users wanting to grab a hot mug of coffee or a bacon butty.

South Hams Council’s decision not to renew his contract brought a flood of calls to its Follaton House headquarters from people concerned about the future of the tea hut.

Now the timber-framed building remains boarded up on North Embankment.

A council spokesman said this week a new contract had been signed but it was unable to provide a name for the new tenant.

At the time of the tendering process, the council outlined it policy on awarding contracts.

A spokesman said: ‘South Hams Council have a duty of care to residents and businesses to tender the tenancy contracts we hold and we must ensure fairness in allocating these public contracts.

‘In accordance with the council’s policy, the opportunity for the tea kiosk at Coronation Park was tendered and bids for the premises were invited.

‘As with most tenancies, the existing lease is not renewed after it has expired. Once the tenancy expired, the contract was put out for tender.

‘Tendering allows everyone to have a fair chance at providing quality services for the community. Our aim is to make sure that the best possible service is found for residents and the best value is sought by testing the market. It is not only good practice to review these existing tenders but it is also part of our policy to do so. In the past, smaller licence tenders such as the tea kiosk may not have been tendered as often as they perhaps could have been. We are now aiming to be much more consistent with our tendering processes across the board and this is the reason for tendering the kiosk at this time.

‘In assessing the bids received, a number of different factors were considered, including assessing the best quality service is delivered to residents and the community.

‘In reaching a decision on the bids received, the council’s assets and audit team were involved as was the portfolio holder for assets. It was considered that another bid was stronger and the council subsequently accepted this bid, subject to contract.’

Former cafe user Kevin Pyne said: ‘The loss of Brown­ey’s is to me yet another act of insensitivity towards the locals by the district council.

‘Colin Brown catered for the early morning set and so very many others in a place where friendships were forged and the latest news spread like wild fire as folk came and went. The whole park is looking awful and the area around Browney’s is now beginning to look derelict, whereas he kept it immaculate.

‘Even worse, no one is telling anyone what is going on, so how’s that for public accountability? It’s all very sad and so unnecessary.’