The owner of a burger van trading directly outside a hospital has been left confused by council attempts to have him removed.

Roger Montgomerie first parked outside the Treatment Centre at Lister Hospital on Coreys Mill Lane in Stevenage and began trading from his Thirst Aid Station on March 3.

On Monday he received a notice from Stevenage Borough Council (SBC) giving him 24 hours to vacate the premises as he was “occupying the land illegally” – despite the council having previously issued him with a Street Trading Consent licence.

SBC said he cannot remain there as he does not have the land owner’s permission and planning permission.

Bailiffs were due to remove Mr Montgomerie by 5pm on Tuesday but no one turned up. He was then informed he had until tomorrow (Friday) to move the van.

Now SBC claims Mr Montgomerie’s business partner, Ron McLeod, told the council the van would be moved by the weekend. Mr McLeod is currently on holiday in Tenerife and Mr Montgomerie says no such agreement has been made.

Mr Montgomerie, who used to volunteer at the café run by the Royal Voluntary Service in Lister Hospital’s A&E department, said: “I’m baffled by the whole thing. No one understands what the motivation is for trying to get us removed.

“We’ve been doing a good trade and are not aware of any complaints being made by the public. I can’t understand why this is happening. There has certainly been a degree of miscommunication. I can happily say with certainty that I don’t intend on moving any time soon.”

SBC reiterated to the Comet that Mr McLeod has agreed to move the van this weekend and will not take any action until after that time.