A BUSINESSMAN has expressed his delight after a temporary agreement has been reached allowing his catering firm to continue trading at Exmouth Pavilion caf�. Aby Farmanieh, from Aby s Catering, said he was pleased a compromise had been reached allowing t

A BUSINESSMAN has expressed his delight after a temporary agreement has been reached allowing his catering firm to continue trading at Exmouth Pavilion caf�.

Aby Farmanieh, from Aby's Catering, said he was pleased a compromise had been reached allowing the company to remain at the venue following a dispute over catering rights.

Mr Farmanieh said: "We are very pleased given that we have been providing catering services to Exmouth Pavilion since the late 90s and built up a strong following of loyal customers and local suppliers over that time.

"We look forward to welcoming customers, both old and new, for the foreseeable future."

Staff at Posh Nosh, a creative cuisine company from Topsham, said they were due to take over at the Pavilion on April 1.

This was after LED, who operates the facility on behalf of East Devon District Council, put the restaurant's management contract out to tender - which Posh Nosh said they won.

Mr Farmanieh challenged the move stating his company had the legal right to remain at the venue and renew its contract.

The confusion over the caf�'s future led to the Exmouth mayor's charity ball, scheduled to take place at the Pavilion on April 17, being cancelled. It will now take place on Friday, July 2.

The compromise was reached following a meeting between LED, Aby's Catering and their legal advisors, Stones Solicitors and Foot Anstey.

Peter Gilpin, chief executive of Leisure East Devon, said: "This sensible temporary resolution ensures that customers will continue to enjoy the high standards that they have come to expect whilst both parties seek to find a permanent solution.