Reading · England
Film and TV set catering in Southcote, Reading
Looking for a fish and chip van for the crew in Southcote? The van comes to your venue, home or workplace and fry fresh while your crew queue at the hatch.
- Shoots on location
- Period dramas on location
- Ad shoots
Book the van in Southcote
How our film set catering works in Southcote
The van needs level, firm ground at the unit base, and a route the van can manage. We serve haddock and chips, cod and chips and pie and chips, and we are often booked for seaside shoots and unit base lunches.
For a location shoot near Southcote, base might be in a field or farmyard. The menu is short on purpose: fewer choices means fresher food and shorter queues.
Prices and what affects them
The same numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- The day of the week
- Your choice of menu
- The minimum booking
- How many people are eating
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. Ask us for a quote.
What to tell us
Good planning starts with a few facts. Try to include:
- The venue or postcode
- Expected numbers
- Where the van would park
- Any dietary needs and allergies
The quickest way to a quote is to send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your shoot, and we’ll come back with availability and a quote.
Towns and villages near Southcote
What else we do in Southcote
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Ordering takeaway to a location is unreliable. A van cooks at the unit base. There’s no one-size-fits-all price for a fish and chip van. A one-hour staff lunch is a different job from serving all afternoon at a fête. Your quote spells it all out.
Why Southcote hosts choose us
- The queue at the hatch gets people talking
- No kitchen needed
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
Planning a shoot in Southcote
Southcote is about 2 miles west of Reading, in Reading. We park up at drives, car parks, yards and venues around Southcote and nearby villages. We take the van to 34 places in Reading.
For cast and crew travelling by train, the nearest station is Reading Green Park station, about 1.1 miles south. Historic houses near Southcote include Mapledurham House (3.1 miles north). If you are shooting at a historic house, the van will need a base agreed with the property.
Anywhere in RG30, RG31 and RG1, we can fry fresh for your crew. Streets in the area include Bath Road, Dwyer Road and Brunel Road, and the van can serve a shoot on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Nearby, we also serve shoots in Fords Farm (1 mile west), Horncastle (1 mile west), Burghfield Bridge (1 mile south-west), Tilehurst Within (1 mile north-west) and Norcot (1 mile north-west). Further out, we also take the van to Caversham (3 miles north-east), Shinfield (4 miles south-east), Arborfield Garrison (6 miles south-east), Caversham Heights (3 miles north), Whitley Wood (3 miles south-east) and Sonning Common (5 miles north).
Nearby you will also find Beaumys Castle (4.7 miles south) and Battle Hospital (1.3 miles north-east). Within reach you’ll find Sonning Hill and South Lake.
- Schools near Southcote include Prospect School (0.5 miles north-west) and Elvian School (0.6 miles north-east)
- Nearby, you will find The Happy Prospect pub (within half a mile east)
Can’t we just order from the chip shop?
Not sure whether to order in or book a van? Think about numbers, timing and how hot you want the food. Ask us for a quote and compare.
A DIY buffet works for small groups. For bigger numbers, a van makes life easier, and nobody has to miss the shoot.
Southcote questions
How far is Southcote from London?
Roughly 40 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Which station is closest to Southcote?
The closest is Reading Green Park station, roughly 1.1 miles away.
How do you handle allergies?
Yes, we can tell you which allergens are in each item. Fish and gluten are the main ones in battered fish. Tell us about allergies in advance.
Do we need to provide anything?
Tell us what’s available at the site in your enquiry, and we will confirm what we need.
Can the van come to our wrap?
Yes. A chip van suits a relaxed wrap party.
How long are you on site?
We get there in good time to set up. Timings are agreed in advance.
How fast is service?
That depends on numbers, menu and timing. Give us your numbers and service window, and we will plan service around it.
Can you go on a lawn or field?
Often, if the ground is firm and dry. After heavy rain, soft grass can be a problem for any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
How the day works
We arrive in good time before you want to eat, park the van and get the fryers going. Your crew can wander over to the hatch as soon as we open. On a winter shoot near Southcote, the light goes by about 3:55pm, so a late lunch or wrap at base needs lighting. In summer, light lasts until about 9:25pm.
- First, tell us about your shoot.
- You get an availability check and a clear quote.
- Timings and the van’s spot are agreed in advance.
- We cook to order on the day for the crew.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
How to prepare
- Think about a gazebo by the van in case of rain
- Have a level parking spot ready
- Give us a contact for the day
Get a quote
Thinking about a fish and chip van for the crew for your shoot in Southcote? Send us the details and we’ll reply with a clear price. Just fill in our quote form.
Read more
What comes out of the fryer
Cod and chips
Cod is the classic: mild, white and flaky, and it’s the favourite in much of the south. It is battered and fried to order, so it is crisp when it reaches you.
Gravy
Gravy brings a bit of warmth to the meal.
Perfect for your shoot in Southcote
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers, which matters on location.
Big or small, the van works the same way. Common bookings include:
- Unit base lunches
- Ad shoots
- Outside broadcasts
- Location shoots
Central London is about 40 miles from Southcote, within easy reach for London-based crews.
Before you book anyone
- Whether travel is included
- The deposit and payment dates
- How many hours the van serves
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
Planners, venues and businesses
Organising a club, school or community event in Southcote? A fish and chip van draws people in and almost everyone likes it. Give us the details and we will suggest how it could work.
Parks, greens and streets normally need permission for a catering van. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
Before you choose a spot
The right spot keeps everyone safe and the service smooth. We need:
- Light near the van if needed
- A hardstanding spot at the unit base
- Away from the shooting area’s sound
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we will tell you honestly.
From the hatch
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
- Pie and chips
- Cod and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Crew lunches
- 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