The opening of an ice cream stand situated simply metres away from the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau former loss of life camp has sparked outrage amongst commemoration professionals and members of the general public. The presence of the black and brown stand some 200 metres away from the infamous red-brick Auschwitz II Historical Gate, additionally identified in Poland because the "Death Gate", has left locals "appalled".

Speaking concerning the van, which presents the drawing of an ice cream cone and a pink-coloured emblem studying "icelove", Dagmar Kopijasz of the Foundation of Memory Sites Near Auschwitz-Birkenau instructed Express.co.uk: "Locals are fully aware of the place where they live, they know the history very well.

"It's apparent they're appalled by this ice cream stand and upset by the entire state of affairs.

"The entire local community actively participates in commemorating history, and I will say it again - it is fully aware of the Holocaust of Jewish people and the martyrdom of the Polish nation. Everyone says in one voice that this is no place to sell ice cream."

The stand, Mr Kopijasz added, is not even wanted as refreshments are bought on the Tourist Service Centre close to the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial.

He added: "This place fulfils its functions very well and is sufficient to handle tourist traffic. The area around the camp is not a place to run such services as an ice cream stall."

The Nazi regime killed greater than 1.1 million individuals on the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp - together with Jewish individuals, Poles and prisoners of battle. After its liberation in January 1945, it grew to become the image of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Paweł Sawicki, press officer and educator on the Auschwitz Memorial, additionally criticised the positioning of the ice cream stand, telling Express.co.uk in an announcement: "This is an example not only of aesthetic tastelessness, but also of disrespect for a nearby special historical site."

Mr Sawicki defined officers on the web site, situated close to Krakow in Poland, cannot take motion to take away the stand, saying: "The trailer, however, stands outside the boundary of the protection zone of the Memorial designated by law, so unfortunately we have no influence over it. We trust that the relevant authorities will solve this embarrassing problem."

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Criticism over the place of the stand was additionally expressed outdoors of Poland.

Dr Rachel Century, appearing chief government and director of public engagement of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, instructed Express.co.uk: "The sight of someone selling ice-cream just metres away from the entrance of Auschwitz-Birkenau, part of the site where 1.1 million people were murdered, including 960,000 Jewish men, women and children, is concerning.

"While we admire the need for sustenance throughout visits, we should do not forget that this place has turn into synonymous with the Holocaust, and we should strike the precise stability between partaking in historical past and preserving the sanctity of the location."

Social media users also made their voice heard, with author Ian Bremmer tweeting: "Maybe Auschwitz is not one of the best spot for an ice cream stand."

Replying to his tweet, another social media user, @WaynesDunn, said: "I might have tossed all of it up. I discovered that exhibit as emotionally devastating as something I’ve witnessed."

Authorities, however, are believed to be taking steps to remove the vendor from the area.

Mr Kopijasz said local authorities have already taken the appropriate steps to close the operation of the stand, and a county official was reported in the Times of Israel saying the stand had been erected without a permit and would be removed.

Express.co.uk has contacted the Oświęcim commune, which has jurisdiction over the area where the stand is, for comment.

The opening of the ice cream stand comes after commemoration professionals have flagged a number of inappropriate behaviours at the site over the years, including posing for pictures near the Death Wall - where people were led to be executed - or walking on the rail tracks as if on balance beams.