The Parks Trust releases statement defending decision to cut ties with popular takeaway business

A Pizza This, a family-based takeaway service, announced on Friday March 26 that it would no longer be based at Willen Lake South.

A spokesperson for the business said in a statement released on Facebook the news came as a "complete shock".

In the same statement the pizza company stated it been told that they could no longer trade by the lake as a new restaurant is being built with a focus on pizza. And that new venue will be given exclusivity for hot food at Willen Lake.

A Pizza This, also set up a petition in an attempt to save the business.

The petition, which can be viewed here, is nearing 1,500 signatures.

The Parks Trust statement in response to this campaign, released on Twitter said: "In response to a post by @APizzaThis_MK and subsequent public comments on social media we would like to say that we have been pleased to work with A Pizza This during the last four years...

"They have provided a great takeaway food service and the team at Willen Lake have been happy to support them. Willen Lake has become an increasingly busy and popular destination and we have been investing heavily in new facilities…

"Including a watersports building with restaurant and café and this does mean we are unable to renew the annual licence that @APizzaThis_MK had previously. We had informed them that we would provide an extension until the end of May whilst they look at other options…

"We have also been looking at any other potential sites we might have that would be suitable. The Parks Trust is an independent local charity – we do run some commercial ventures in order to pay for the maintenance and investments in the parks in Milton Keynes…

"Every penny we make at Willen Lake is reinvested in the facilities. We hope that@APizzaThis_MK will find a new home in Milton Keynes and wish them every success as they continue their venture."

At the time of writing there has been no response from A Pizza This.