Rogue ice cream sellers could soon find themselves frozen out of a lucrative trading spot.

Traders need a permit from Canterbury City Council to set up in Whitstable Harbour but many pitch up without the valid paperwork.

Licensed seller, Chris Conway, manager of Sundae Sundae in Harbour Street, says if the problem is not tackled his business could be forced to close.

The 44-year-old has supported new rules introduced by Whitstable Harbour Board which could see photos and film footage taken of the rogue sellers as part of a case against them.

“Our business is literally just ice cream, so if there are too many people who come and take the trade and don’t support the town, it’s a bit of a no-brainer that we could probably end up closing" - Mr Conway, ice cream seller

Mr Conway said: “I just think the harbour board needs to get a hold of it otherwise it [Whitstable Harbour] could become inundated.

“It’s good to see that it is on the case.

“We are not after a monopoly on ice creams in Whitstable but these are coming in and they are affecting our business.

“It could end up closing us to be honest if there’s not enough trade all year round.”

Mr Conway added: “Our business is literally just ice cream, so if there are too many people who come and take the trade and don’t support the town, it’s a bit of a no-brainer that we could probably end up closing.

“Who is to say another 10 won’t decide to come along during the school holidays? If that happens it could affect our annual trade."

At the recent Harbour Board meeting, the council’s head of safer neighbourhoods Douglas Rattray outlined the plans.

He said: “Ice cream is an issue around the town not just in the Harbour.

“It’s a problem because it’s lucrative, there is a lot of money to be made from it and when the sun is out people flock to get an ice cream.

“Telling them to go isn’t a solution to the problem – retaining film footage and taking photos is needed.”

Mr Rattray added that traders who set up in Whitstable are believed to come from London and north Kent.

He added: “The more powers available the more chance we have of dealing with it. It is quite a difficult problem to deal with but we are trying to do something about it.

“For the people who are flouting the law we will be seeking to build up a case against them and get them into court.”

As well as increased legislation, the council is also carrying out patrols to find rogue traders.

Council spokesman Rob Davies said: “Following the harbour board meeting we are going to be looking at possible options open to us to tackle this and also carrying out patrols to try and engage with those ice cream vendors who are trading illegally.”