West Sussex · England
Film Set Catering in Coates
Film set catering in Coates: fish and chips cooked fresh in the van, and served hot from the hatch.
- Photo shoots
- Unit base lunches
- Music video shoots
Fresh fish and chips in Coates
Film set catering in Coates, cooked to order
A chip van is a popular crew treat on a long shoot, alongside regular catering. We’re frequently asked to cater live events and broadcasts and crew lunches at base, serving haddock and chips, sausage and chips and pie and chips.
Near Coates, crews may be miles from anywhere to eat, so lunch at base matters. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we’ll be straight with you about what we can do before you book.
- Location
- Coates (RH20)
- County
- West Sussex
- On the menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- Sides
- Curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy
- Price
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Location catering around Coates
Coates is about 10 miles north of Littlehampton, in West Sussex. For shoots in Coates, we plan around your venue and timings: a quote, a parking spot and fresh frying on the day. We take the van to all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex. Our bookings stretch from Coates to Guildford (20 miles away).
For cast and crew travelling by train, Pulborough station is about 2.7 miles away. Coates is about 43 miles from central London, within easy reach for London-based crews. Coates is within about 4 miles of the South Downs National Park, so check vehicle rules with locations.
We take the van to shoots all over RH20 and the streets around it. If your venue is just outside Coates, we also cover Lower Horncroft (1 mile east), Fittleworth (1 mile north-east), Bedham (1 mile north-east), Watersfield (2 miles south-east) and Coldwaltham (2 miles south-east). Within a short drive, we also cover Horsham (14 miles north-east), Worthing (12 miles south-east), Bognor Regis (12 miles south-west), Chichester (12 miles south-west), Littlehampton (10 miles south) and Lancing (14 miles south-east).
Nearby you’ll also find Coates Castle (0.5 miles south-west) and Coultershaw Heritage Site (2 miles north-west). The countryside around Coates includes Bignor Hill and Amberley Wild Brooks.
- Local pubs include The Swan Hotel (0.7 miles north-east)
Allergies and dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Name a contact in the production office
- Agree how the base is left
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Give us a map or what3words for base
We clear up quickly after lunch.
A dining area at base helps.
For event organisers in Coates
If you run the same event each year, tell us your dates early, so we can hold the date.
Many venues set rules for catering vans: parking spots, arrival times and documents. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll work through them with you.
What happens on the day
Nothing gathers a crowd like the smell of fish and chips. Each piece of fish is battered and fried to order, with chips cooked in batches as the queue moves. Long summer days in Coates, with light until about 9:20pm, suit evening wraps outdoors, while by late September it’s nearer 7:05pm.
- Start with three things: the date, the place and a rough headcount.
- A photo of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- A week or so before, we confirm timings and numbers.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for the crew.
- Last portion served, we tidy up and head off.
Getting ready for the day
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
- Keep space clear for crew at the hatch
- Name one person we can call on the day
How to get a price
Planning a fish and chip van for the crew in Coates? Send us the details and we will reply with a clear price. Just send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Occasions we serve in Coates
It’s a morale boost.
We can help if you’re planning any of the following:
- Commercials and music videos
- Event crews
- Fashion shoots on location
- Shoots on location
Among the historic houses close to Coates are Bignor Roman Villa (2.1 miles south) and Petworth House (2.9 miles north-west). Period locations like these typically keep vehicles well away from the house, so agree the base early.
What to look for in a quote
- The service time, and the cost of running over
- If the price includes VAT
- The cancellation terms
- When final numbers are due
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Doing the food yourself saves money, but the host ends up running around. Booking the van means hot food and no stress.
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van cooks in front of your crew instead.
Prices and what affects them
Your quote will be clear. The main things that affect it are:
- How far we travel
- Your choice of menu
- How many people are eating
- Whether a minimum applies
Cost depends on numbers, menu and service time, plus travel and access. Every booking gets its own quote.
What we need to know
You don’t need everything decided to ask for a quote, but these help:
- Where the van would park
- Where the event is
- Anything awkward about the way in
- Allergies and diets you know about
Send us the date, the address or RH20 postcode and rough numbers, plus when you’d like to eat, and we will reply with a quote. Just fill in our quote form.
What else we do in Coates
A chip van compared with other options
Many locations are miles from shops. The van solves that. Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, as there is no kitchen to hire and nothing to wash up. We’ll send you a quote.
Why book our van in Coates
- Something for crew to gather round
- Events in Coates and across West Sussex
- No kitchen needed
- Works on wet days as well as sunny ones
Read our pricing and the cost guide.
Food your guests will love
Cod and chips
Cod and chips is the meal most people picture when they think of a chip shop. Fried to order in the van, it goes out hot and crisp.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has loyal fans: sweeter and a touch firmer than cod. Ask us about offering haddock alongside or instead of cod.
Your questions about a fish and chip van for the crew in Coates
Do you come to venues in the South Downs National Park?
Yes. Some venues there have rules about vehicles and ground, so check with yours. We’ll follow the site rules.
Which station is closest to Coates?
Pulborough station, about 2.7 miles east of the centre.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes. We cook inside the van, so it’s fried on the spot, rather than made in advance.
What happens if it rains?
We cook inside the van, so rain does not stop us. Crew will appreciate cover near the hatch.
When do you arrive?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
What do we need to supply?
Tell us what’s available at the site when you enquire, and we will say what we need.
Do you do wrap parties?
Yes, and crews love it. Tell us the details.
What about crew who don’t eat fish?
Yes: sausages and pies, with chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
- Fried fresh to order in the van at your event
- Cod, haddock and chips, sausages and pies
- The van comes to you: homes, venues, workplaces and fields
- Served at the time you choose, from the hatch