HIGHCLIFFE residents are “amazed and horrified” about the decision to award the tender for a popular tearoom to a multinational catering giant.

Ward councillor Lesley Dedman said she had received a lot of comments from locals following the news that US company Aramark will take over Highcliffe Castle Tearooms in April.

Local businessman Sean Kearney has held the lease for the past 17 years and has warned the move will hurt small businesses in the area.

Cllr Dedman said the general feeling among residents was one of concern and “great surprise”.

“They don’t feel a huge organisation is interested in the village tearoom, or the village itself and its people.

“They are amazed and horrified that a company which does prison food has got the lease,” she continued.

“I represented that to the council officers who have come back with various justifications for the decision. They told me they had to tender the lease this way due to European legislation - I think it was overkill to use the tender apparatus that they used. It seems to me, and the residents, that Mr Kearney didn’t stand a chance of getting the lease.”

As part of the tender process, sales forecasts for the next 15 years had to be provided. Aramark, which provides prison food and school meals, was awarded the lease after receiving a score of 99.58 against the council's application criteria.

Mr Kearney's bid was given a score of 59.06, and Judith Plumley, Christchurch council's head of community and leisure, said his "long-term vision" for the tearoom was "not clear".

“I’m not saying I supported Mr Kearney for the tender, but he was at a disadvantage. I would be surprised if a big organisation used local suppliers, whereas the present tenant uses local produce,” Cllr Dedman added.

“I’m surprised Aramark wished to tender for the tearoom in the first place.”

She said residents, who were “still smarting” from the contentious Highcliffe beach huts project, “did not understand” the decision regarding the popular eatery.

“We feel like we’re going down the same path again.”

Mr Kearney, who also runs the successful Cliffhanger Cafe in Highcliffe, launched the Real Mr Selfridge Experience at the castle, which has since been visited by thousands of people.