Arsonists destroyed chairs overnight outside the recently re-opened café at the pavilion in Wisbech park. Photos published to Facebook groups today show some of the damage caused.
A number of those responding to the arson attack have refuted suggestions made by the leader of Wisbech town councillor, Samantha Hoy, of a connection between hostility shown towards the new café operator, town councillor Shahid Rafique.
“Perhaps the people stirring up hatred against them all last week will think twice before getting on a key board,” she wrote.
(Wisbech town clerk Terry Jordan said today: The tenancy is held by a business which is calling itself ‘Wisbech Park Cafe’. I understand there is a belief that the tenancy has been awarded to Councillor Rafique; that is not the case.”
Above: Screenshots of the damage caused by arsonists to chairs outside Wisbech Park café alongside a photo of the chairs yesterday during the afternoon
Anger was aroused when it was revealed by CambsNews that Cllr Rafique is running the café after the management of the Italian Affair restaurant he owns was giving the tender to run the council owned café.
It prompted a backlash after Fenland District Council, who run the park and allow the town council to operate the pavilion as the lead tenant, stopped Frank’s Ices from retaining his mobile van in the park.
The reason given was that it would be in direct competition with the café. Frank Cassanto, who owns Frank’s Ices, hit back by promising to remain in Wisbech but to operate on a road adjacent to the park.
One commenter said the arson attack had nothing to do with ice cream rivalries.
The scoop on the Wisbech ice cream ‘wars’: Frank’s Ices vs. Park Café
“You can see several comments by Frank that he is okay with a little competition,” the commenter wrote. This is clearly teenagers doing what some have done for years at the park. Thinking they are funny and setting fires and trying to act like gangsters.
“It’s a shame as café isn’t a bad place, been there a few times”.
Cllr Hoy responded by saying they didn’t know yet who started the fires “but CCTV is on it.
“I have seen so many vile comments over the weekend stirring up hatred against the café.”
Cambridgeshire police have been contacted for a response.
