10/04/2026
First and foremost, I want to say a huge, sincere thank you to all our wonderful customers and to the entire Lytham community for the incredible support you’ve shown me since yesterday’s update about the Judicial Review that Lytham Voice has launched against Fylde Borough Council and, ultimately, against my business.
Over the past 24 hours, one thing has become painfully clear: the Directors of Lytham Voice have acted completely alone, without any mandate from their members and without the backing of the wider Lytham community. Today, with the strong support of Lytham Town Councillor Brenda Blackshaw, Kelly Farringdon and many other respected members of our community, we reached out to the Directors in a genuine attempt to resolve this amicably and have them withdraw their action. Sadly, those efforts have been unsuccessful.
So where do we go from here?
It is now undeniable that these Directors are acting entirely on their own. What’s more, they are funding this costly legal challenge out of their own pockets. I have attached the document they have already lodged with the High Court. Their plan is to pay privately upfront and then attempt to reclaim an estimated £40,000 in legal fees from Fylde Borough Council if they win.
The individuals currently funding this action are:
• John Warham
• Edward Cook
• Paul Andrew Carr
• John Barker
They also have commitments from Patrick Plant and Simon Newell to provide additional funding if needed.
It is worth noting that Mr Cook and Mr Newell also serve as councillors on the newly formed Lytham Town Council.
The heartbreaking reality for me is this: defending my business against this challenge is likely to cost me £40,000 or even more, with the very real possibility that it could all be in vain. And if I am forced to remove the canopy, the financial impact and long-term damage to Spago would be devastating.
Many of you have kindly asked what you can do to help. Right now, there is only one path forward that makes sense: Lytham Voice must withdraw their application from the courts and allow me to get back to doing what I love, running my business and serving this community I care about so deeply.
If you know any of the individuals named above, if they are your friends, neighbours, or acquaintances, I am begging you: please speak to them. Help them see the bigger picture. Lobby them gently but firmly. Encourage them to talk, to listen, and to choose dialogue over division and destruction.
I am here, right now, with an open heart and a genuine willingness to find a fair and sensible solution away from the courtroom. Spago cannot survive a long, expensive legal battle and neither should our community have to endure one.
Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for standing with me.
Tony.
