The short answer
A fish and chip van needs a level, firm spot it can drive onto, with a clear way in, room around the serving hatch for a queue, and permission from whoever owns the land. That’s it. It doesn’t need a kitchen, a hall or a marquee.
Vans and trailers come in different sizes, so always ask your caterer for the length, width and height of theirs, and whether it needs a towing vehicle parked alongside.
Level and firm
Fryers hold a lot of hot oil, so the van has to stand level and steady. A drive, a car park, a yard or hardstanding is ideal. A lawn or field can work if the ground is firm and dry, but after heavy rain, soft grass can rut or trap any vehicle. If your event is on grass, have a back-up spot on a hard surface in mind, and tell your caterer about the ground when you book.
Getting in
Walk the route from the road to the spot and look for:
- gates and gateways narrower than a van
- low branches, overhead cables, arches and car park height barriers
- tight turns, steep slopes and narrow lanes
- kerbs, steps and soft verges
- cattle grids or bridges with weight limits
Take a few photos of the route and the spot and send them to your caterer. It takes five minutes and saves a lot of trouble.
Room for the queue
People will gather at the hatch, so leave space in front of it, away from traffic and car parking. If the van is on a drive, think about where the queue goes so it doesn’t spill into the road. At a fête or festival, the organiser should mark out the pitch with room for a queue that doesn’t block walkways.
Close to the party, but not too close
The van should be close enough that guests can walk to it easily and food doesn’t go cold on the way back. But frying makes some smell and noise, so keep the serving side away from where speeches or a band will be, and away from open windows of the house next door. A few metres from a marquee entrance is often perfect.
Power, water and gas
Some vans are completely self-contained, with their own gas, water and power. Others like a nearby power socket or water tap. Ask your caterer, and tell them what’s available at the site. Never run a long extension lead across a path without covering it.
Lighting and weather
For evening and winter events, the van and the queue need light. Many vans have their own lights at the hatch, but the walk from the party to the van may not, so think about festoon lights or a lit path. Rain doesn’t stop a fish and chip van, because the cooking happens inside, but guests appreciate a gazebo or a covered doorway near the hatch.
Permission
Whoever controls the land needs to agree to a catering van: the venue, the landowner, the school, the facilities manager or, on a public road or in a park, the council. A van parked on a public road usually needs a legal parking space or a council parking suspension; a street party needs a road closure. See permission for a food van in parks and public places.
A quick site checklist
- A level, firm spot, ideally hard surface
- A clear route in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- Space for a queue in front of the hatch
- Permission from the landowner or venue
- Power or water, if the caterer needs it
- Lighting for evening events
- A back-up spot if the ground is soft
- Photos sent to the caterer
Common access problems, and how to solve them
- A narrow gate. Measure it. If the van won’t fit, look for another way in or park outside the gate on a hard surface.
- A low branch or cable. Branches can sometimes be tied back; cables can’t be moved, so find another route.
- A soft lawn. Lay out a back-up spot on a drive, track or car park, especially if rain is forecast.
- A steep drive. A van needs to stand level. A flat area at the top or bottom of the drive is better than a slope.
- A busy road. Keep the queue away from the road, and never have guests queueing on the pavement next to traffic.
Working out the queue area
When many people want to eat at once, the queue can stretch. Think about where it will form and make sure it isn’t blocking a doorway, a fire exit, a path or a car park lane. A rope line or a couple of planters can guide it. At a home party, a queue along the edge of the lawn or drive usually works well.
Safety around the van
Hot oil is the reason fish and chips tastes so good, and also the reason to keep the area around the van sensible. Keep children’s games, bouncy castles and footballs away from the van, and don’t let anyone lean into the hatch. Your caterer will set up safely; your job is to choose a spot where the party and the van don’t overlap too much.
When there really isn’t space
If there’s nowhere suitable at your home or venue, look nearby: a village hall car park, a pub with a yard, a farm with hardstanding or a sports club. Ask the owner if the van can park there for the event, and walk guests over. It’s often easier than you think.
Quick answers
Can the van go on our lawn?
Sometimes, if it’s firm, dry and level. Have a hard-surface back-up.
Can the van park on the road outside?
Only where it’s legal to park, or with a council parking suspension or road closure.
Does the van need to be next to the marquee?
Close by is best, but keep the serving side away from speeches and the band.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.