A DECISION to award the tender for popular Highcliffe Castle Tearooms to a multinational catering giant has been called a ‘slap in the face’ for local businesses.

Sean Kearney, who has held the lease for the past 17 years, said he is “appalled” to learn that US Aramark Corporation - which provides prison food and school meals - will take over from April 1.

And he claimed the tender process was weighted against him from the start, with demands that he forecast sales of cakes and cream teas for the next 15 years forming part of the application.

Mr Kearney also runs the successful Cliffhanger cafe in Highcliffe, and has projected that the tearoom could be just as successful in the future.

“I recognise that the council had to seek the best tender for the new lease, so I based my offer sensibly on 30 years’ experience in the retail and catering businesses, and on detailed knowledge of the local market,” he said.

“I’m upset not to be able to continue building the business.

“The impact on staff, and on all my local suppliers, will be immense.

“The council is handing over to a multinational caterer a business which we have created from scratch, and haven’t offered a word of regret or even thanks for the years of loyal service.” Mr Kearney first took on the tearooms in 2000.

In recent years, he has launched a popular tour based on period television drama series Mr Selfridge, pictured below.

The initiative brings thousands of pounds into Highcliffe, he said.

He discovered his lease would not be renewed after reading a letter from Christchurch council’s head of community and leisure services, Judith Plumley, which was posted on a private internet portal.

He labelled the “complex” tender process “unduly onerous”, and said the decision would affect other Highcliffe businesses.

“We buy a lot of our suppliers from retailers and wholesalers in Highcliffe,” he said.

“It’s going to put a lot of businesses in jeopardy.”

Mr Kearney said his first concern is for the cafe’s staff.

“The decision has been made, and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.

“My immediate concern is for my staff at the tearoom, who face a period of change and uncertainty.

“Their support over the years has been terrific.”

Mary Reader, founder of the Christchurch Food Festival and the Highcliffe Revival Food Festival, labelled the decision a “slap in the face” for traders in the town.

Ms Plumley said: “We have followed government regulations during the tender process for the Highcliffe Castle Tearooms which includes writing to both the successful and unsuccessful tenderers to inform them of the outcome.

“We are currently in a legal standstill period and will be in a position to announce the successful company on February 1.

“The basis of awarding the contract was made clear to all companies in our tender document and the company whose tender we have provisionally accepted scored the highest against these criteria.”

Mr Kearney’s bid was given a score of 59.06 as part of the criteria. Aramark’s bid received a score of 99.58.