LAST orders are being taken at a cafe kiosk that is said to have served the best cuppa in Dartmouth.

For over five years Browney’s on North Embankment has been the every-day-of-the-week choice for early morning dog walkers, builders, taxi drivers and river users wanting to grab a hot mug of coffee or a bacon butty.

The man behind the counter, Colin Brown, is pulling down the shutters on Monday after losing a council tender to run a business he built from a shack on the edge of Coron­ation Park.

‘It’s become something of an institution,’ said Colin, who was born and bred in Dart­mouth and is equally at home fishing as he is in the catering trade.

‘We’ve become more than cafe, but more of a social meeting place for many local people.’

Colin and Halina Brown took over the snack shack around 2010 from former owner, the late Eddy Preece, transforming it into a popular venue, revamping the decor and menu, adding more outdoor tables and chairs and extending the opening hours to cater for the steady stream of early morning customers.

In the summer, Browney’s was often the cafe of choice for parents, who could sit in the sun while children played in the park, or pensioners who would come to chat and doze in deckchairs.

‘Mums said they have never used the park so much,’ said Colin. ‘They would sit and have a cup of tea with their friends while their children play. There was always a great atmosphere.’

The kiosk also became a favourite among holidaymakers.

‘We had people come back year after year to see us,’ he said.

‘And in the winter people would wrap up and just like being outdoors. It’s a beautiful place to sit outside and see the river.’

Halina said Colin always made sure he was there to open up at 7am for early morning regulars and part of the cafe’s appeal was its warm-hearted banter.

‘It was a real locals place, somewhere they could come in their muddy boots and be themselves,’ she said.

And when Colin wasn’t cooking breakfasts or lunches or serving teas, he would be selling draw tickets for charity and keeping an eye on the tennis courts or boat park for South Hams Council.

He said many people had said they were sorry he was going.

His tender application to South Hams Council to run the kiosk for another six years had been supported by several letters from businesses and town councillors, and there was even one from a six-year-old boy.

‘But I was obviously not what the council wanted,’ said Colin.

‘I was disappointed but guess it all came down to finance.

‘There is nothing I can do about it and have to move forward.

‘I wish the new people all the best and owe all my customers a massive thank your for their support over the years and hope they keep coming here.’

One regular Kevin Pyne said: ‘Browney’s served the best bacon butty in the south west of England and the cheapest, nicest, real cup of tea. Colin ran a good establishment serving excellent food at fair prices and was somewhere locals could gather and be happy. It’s a shame he going.’

District and county councillor Jonathan Hawkins said: ‘I am sorry to hear that Colin has lost this tender.

‘He has done an excellent job of making it a real destination and making it a real community facility.

‘He will be missed by very many people, with always a warm welcome offering good value food at reasonable prices. I wish him all the best for the future.’

South Hams Council said it was not prepared to reveal who had won the tender until the contract had been signed.The council added: 'South Hams District 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.’