1 week Ago By [email protected] (Oliver Leonard)
A “heartbroken” cafe boss has hit out at his museum landlords after much-needed picnic benches were “impounded” in a row over land. Paul Glicksman, who runs the Spitfire Cafe in Manston, alleges the Spitfire & Hurricane Museum unjustly stripped away his outdoor dining area. But museum bosses argue they removed the benches after negotiations for additional rent broke down, while legal proceedings are underway.
Mr Glicksman, who believes the move could harm his business this summer, said in a public statement: "I’m sure some of you have seen that our wooden benches on our grass area in front of the cafe have disappeared. “These have been removed by the museum and impounded. “They included the area in our lease from day one of taking over the cafe three years ago.
" The cafe owner says he was “disgusted” to discover the six wooden benches had been removed from the area, which, he claims, has always been part of his lease. Mr Glicksman, who has run the spot for three years, claims he is being asked to stump up £500 a month extra in rent before the seating will be reinstated. He claims email correspondence from the time of signing the lease shows the patio and grass area were included in the agreement.
However, tensions recently mounted when, according to Mr Glicksman, museum trustees requested the extra cash regardless of the benches’ historic inclusion. "They sent emails saying they were putting the rent up by 50 quid, which was fine,” he told KentOnline. “But then also said that the grass area in front of the cafe, where we had six benches, wasn’t included anymore and wanted £500 extra a month.
“The original emails show the patio and grass were included. They just changed their mind and got greedy. "They then took the benches off the grass area and chained them up.
” “I messaged saying, 'You can't do that,' but they insisted they could." The cafe boss, who also spent £170,000 refurbishing Marina’s Cafe in Margate last year, says the benches are "vital" for business, particularly during the busy summer months. He says the grass area had been used by the previous tenant for 15 years without issue.
"They're just trying to rob me," he went on. "The benches are hugely important in the summer. “Up until now, I had a great relationship with (the museum).
It’s come completely out of the blue." Mr Glicksman has since instructed solicitors to act on his behalf, and says legal proceedings are underway. Meanwhile, his cafe has received an outpouring of public support in light of his public statement made on Facebook this month, with multiple people supporting his business.
In response, the museum issued a statement saying the matter is “in the hands of solicitors”. A spokesperson said: “I can confirm there is currently a dispute between the museum and the tenant in our onsite cafe, The Spitfire Cafe. “We consider this to be an internal matter, and it has been in the hands of our solicitors for some time.
“The tables in question were sited outside of the red-edged demise on the lease plan. “Mr Glicksman was offered the opportunity in September 2024 of a deed of variation to the existing lease to include this area for an additional rent, but failed to engage in negotiations. “Our position is that we have removed the benches from our land in accordance with the advice from our legal advisors.
” Despite the ongoing dispute, Mr Glicksman remains determined to continue operating and fighting what he calls "bullying tactics". "We have always done our best to work with the museum," he said. "We provided free meals to full-time staff, big discounts to others, and free drinks every day.
“To be treated like this after everything is heartbreaking.".
