Surrey · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Leigh, Surrey
Hot, crisp and cooked while you wait: a fish and chip van for your event in Leigh and across Surrey.
- Horse and dog shows
- Sports club events and race days
- Crew and volunteer catering
Fish and chip van for events for Leigh events
Fish and chip van for events in Leigh, fried fresh
Everything is cooked as people come up, so nothing sits waiting. On the menu are curry sauce, cod and chips and haddock and chips, and typical bookings are for community open days and horse and dog shows.
At a field event near Leigh, power and water may be limited; tell us what’s available and we’ll plan around it. We plan the timings around your day, whether that is a first dance, a lunch break or a service time.
What comes out of the fryer
Gravy
A pot of gravy turns chips into comfort food, especially in winter.
Haddock and chips
Haddock is a little sweeter than cod, with a finer, firmer flake. It is the traditional favourite in Scotland and much of the north.
What else we do in Leigh
Community events around Leigh
Leigh is about 3 miles south-west of Reigate, in Surrey. We serve events at homes, halls, workplaces and venues in Leigh and nearby villages. We cover 395 places across Surrey, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Guildford, about 14 miles away.
Church fêtes, at churches such as Church of St Bartholomew, are a natural home for a chip van. For visitors coming by rail, the nearest station is Betchworth station, about 2.9 miles north. Events in and around the Surrey Hills National Landscape, within about 5 miles of Leigh, frequently have rules about vehicles, ground and waste; we work to the site rules.
Events anywhere in RH2 start with a parking spot for the van and a serving time. We can serve an event on streets such as Church Road, Smalls Hill Road and The Glebe or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. If your venue is just outside Leigh, we also cover Dawesgreen (1 mile north-west), Bunce Common (1 mile west), Irons Bottom (2 miles east), Strood Green (2 miles north-west) and Sidlow (2 miles east). Further out, we also take the van to Guildford (14 miles west), Epsom (9 miles north), Horley (4 miles south-east), Redhill (4 miles north-east), Ewell (10 miles north) and Reigate (3 miles north-east).
Other landmarks nearby include Reigate Priory Museum (2.7 miles north-east) and East Surrey Hospital (3.7 miles east). Green spaces nearby include Reigate Heath and Colley Hill.
- Local pubs include The Seven Stars Public House (under half a mile north-west)
Planning the van’s spot
The van has to be able to get in and park safely, so a few things need checking. These are the things we check:
- Agreement from the site for a catering van
- Access that avoids crowds
- A wet-weather pitch on hard standing
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we will advise.
On the menu in Leigh
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Chips
- Curry sauce
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
Perfect for your event in Leigh
Almost every visitor likes fish and chips, from families to older visitors.
The van suits big events and small ones. Common bookings include:
- Club open days
- Fundraisers
- Agricultural and country shows
- Community festivals
If you are organising a summer fair or sports day for a school such as Burys Court School, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser.
Before booking anyone
- Whether travel is included
- VAT, if it applies
- What happens if the event is cancelled or moved
- What they can offer for dietary needs
Leigh: your questions answered
Is Leigh too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
Which station is closest to Leigh?
Betchworth station, about 2.9 miles north of the centre.
How long does set-up take?
It depends on numbers and the service time. We confirm all the timings beforehand.
Is the fish gluten-free?
Our battered fish contains gluten, because standard batter uses wheat flour. Let us know about coeliac visitors in advance, and we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible.
How soon do we need to book?
The sooner the better. Popular dates book up first, so it pays to ask early.
How do you charge at fêtes?
That varies: a pitch fee, a share of takings or a guaranteed minimum. We’ll agree it in writing.
Do you do anything other than fish?
Yes: sausage and chips or pie and chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
Can you cook in the rain?
Rain does not stop the fryers: the cooking is inside the van. Visitors will appreciate cover near the hatch.
Diets, allergies and planning
Good planning keeps every guest safe and happy. Try these:
- Send us the pitch size and ground conditions
- Share any nut or allergy policies
- Have other stalls for special diets
- Agree when volunteers will eat
We set up before visitors arrive, at the agreed time.
A clear route for the van before the gates open avoids problems.
What happens on the day
The van turns up at the agreed time, pulls onto the spot you’ve chosen. When the fryers are up to heat, service starts right on schedule. Summer events in Leigh have daylight until about 9:20pm at midsummer and about 7:05pm by late September, so evening trading typically finishes in daylight in high summer. For winter events, dark by about 3:55pm, the pitch needs lighting.
- You share your date, numbers and address.
- We check the route in and send a price.
- We arrive in good time to set up.
- Everything is fried to order as the queue moves.
- Service is straight from the hatch, then we pack up.
Getting ready for the day
- Give us a contact for the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Arrange somewhere dry for the queue
Ask for a quote
To get a price, send us your details through our quote form. Give us the details of your event, and we’ll check the date and send a price.
Planning help
DIY versus a fish and chip van
You could do a chip-shop run for everyone yourself, but it rarely works for a crowd. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. A van fries it right there, so it’s crisp.
Some hosts try a takeaway order. The problem is timing: big orders take a long time, and the food is cooling while it travels. A van cooks in front of your visitors instead.
For event organisers in Leigh
Hosting at home? Send us a picture of the drive or the spot and the way in, and we’ll let you know if the van will fit.
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 affects the price in Leigh
Your quote will be clear. The main things that affect it are:
- Access and parking
- The date and time of year
- Numbers
- The menu and how many choices
When you compare quotes, check what each one includes: service time, menu, travel, any minimum and VAT. Our quotes spell it all out.
Details that help
Here’s what makes a quick, accurate quote possible:
- Anything awkward about the way in
- A photo of the space and the way in
- The spot you have in mind for the van
- Rough numbers for adults and children
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
- 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