Street food truck at Anglesey beauty spot closed down in licence row with council

A street food truck has been barred from trading at an Anglesey beauty spot in a row over a licence.



a man sitting on a table: Joey Ashton (left) and Scott Wheeler run Feast Brothers


© The Feast Brothers
Joey Ashton (left) and Scott Wheeler run Feast Brothers

Feast Brothers has been set up by Joey Ashton and Scott Wheeler – serving pasta from a cheese wheel and other traditional Italian pasta dishes alongside coffee.

Mr Ashton said they spent three months making sure they were legal after moving to Anglesey when his family sold their house in Australia to start a new life here.

They set up on a private field near Llanddwyn beach at Newborough on New Year’s Eve.

But within days they had been visited by trading standards after a member of the public complained.

They have since been closed at that site as they work to resolve the issue.

Anglesey council said it had advised them on how to apply for the necessary street trading consent.

Mr Ashton, 32, said: “We moved back to Anglesey from Australia to start this business serving from our new food truck.



a man smiling for the camera: Joey Ashton runs Feast Brothers


© The Feast Brothers
Joey Ashton runs Feast Brothers

“We spent three months making sure we were legal. I’ve been in talks with the council since day one and we’ve never been told we need a street food trading licence because we are on private land.

“A local resident complained that we were there and so we had a visit from trading standards.”

He said the initial visit indicated there would not be a problem but they were then visited two days later and told they had to close or face prosecution.

He says they are now having to “jump through ridiculous hoops” in order to gain the license.

“All in all they have been pretty unhelpful and seem to want to discourage people from starting small businesses to boost the local economy,” he said.



Edona Zogu et al. sitting at a beach: Joey and Erin Ashton with kids Ellis and Matilda


© The Feast Brothers
Joey and Erin Ashton with kids Ellis and Matilda

“It’s enough to make us rethink starting this life in Anglesey. My wife is from the area and we wanted to get our kids into a local Welsh speaking school but it almost feels like they’re willing young local families to fail.”

He claims the system is far more bureaucratic than in Australia.

He said it came at a difficult time, adding: “My wife (Erin) is a supply teacher and looks after our two young children when not working. So my income is important and the longer I’m unable to trade, the longer we struggle to afford groceries.”

“With schools closed she has no income.”

He did say: “However the support from the local community has been overwhelming and their response to our business start up idea has been beyond positive. Its always good to know you have the backing of local people who have been lovely.”

In response an Anglesey County Council spokesperson said: “We have been in contact with the company and advised them how to apply for the necessary street trading consent required.”

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