TWO cooks closed down their catering van on Friday after 27 years of trading on Larkhill Army camp.

Katie’s Kitchen was issued with a month’s notice by French food giant Sodexo, which has a contract with the Army.

Sodexo had given permission for the small business to remain on the camp, but then brought their own van into service, directly competing with the kitchen, before giving them the boot.

Sisters, and twins, Jacqui and Linda Clark say they had many sleepless nights, but Jacqui says she is trying to stay optimistic.

“It is a very difficult situation for us, but we have got to be positive and try and get on with our lives,” she said.

“We are hopeful of finding jobs in the near future. We might be 62-years-old, but there is plenty of life left in both of us.”

The multinational firm’s decision to push Katie’s Kitchen out of Larkhill provoked anger and dismay among serving and former soldiers across the globe.

An online petition has been signed by 8,000 people to date.

One soldier said: “It was bad enough training in all weathers, but there was always something to look forward to at Katie’s Kitchen.”

Civilians have recently met the commanding officer of the camp, who was surprised by the scale of the backlash.

Despite the petition from soldiers and the appeal from civilians, there is no remedy in sight, and Katie’s Kitchen appears to have reached the end of the road.

Jacqui said: “It is difficult to say how we feel, as the reality of what has happened has yet to strike home.

“I have arthritis and haven’t found another job, but I am refusing to be downcast.”

Jacqui recently returned from Amsterdam, where she was able to escape the predicament and relax.

She said: “Going away made me realise that we have had a fantastic 27 years on the camp, and met so many brave and friendly soldiers. We will miss them and our business, but we have had a good run.”

To see the petition visit change.org.

Sodexo was unavailable for comment.