Kent · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Maypole, Kent
Bring the chip shop to your event in Maypole. The van arrives, the fryers go on and everything is cooked to order, so every portion goes out hot.
- Village fêtes
- Agricultural and country shows
- Fish and chip supper nights
A chip van near Maypole
Running an event in Maypole
Maypole is about 2 miles south-east of Herne Bay, in Kent. For events in Maypole, the van can park on drives, in car parks and yards, and on firm lawns and fields in and around Maypole. We take the van to 922 places in Kent, from the larger towns to small villages.
For anyone arriving by train, the closest railway station is Herne Bay station, roughly 2.6 miles north-west of the centre. Running a fête for a church like Church of the Holy Cross? A chip van draws people in. With the sea within about 3 miles, we plan shelter from the wind for coastal events.
Wherever your event is in CT3, we can bring the van to you, from busy streets to quiet lanes. Streets in the area include Maypole Lane and Maypole Road, and the van can serve an event on any of them with a suitable parking spot. Other places close to Maypole we cover include Old Tree (1 mile east), Millbank (1 mile north), Hoath (1 mile south), Knave's Ash (1 mile south-west) and Highstead (1 mile north-east). Larger places within reach include Canterbury (5 miles south-west), Margate (10 miles east), Dover (15 miles south-east), Ramsgate (11 miles east), Broadstairs (12 miles east) and Whitstable (6 miles west).
Other landmarks nearby include St Martins Hospital (4.9 miles south-west). Open spaces near Maypole include West Blean and Thornden Woods.
- Nearby schools include Spires Academy (2.1 miles south)
How our fish and chip van for events works in Maypole
Everything is cooked as people come up, so nothing sits waiting. We’re frequently asked to cater music and food festivals and country shows, with chips, haddock and chips and mushy peas.
At a field event near Maypole, power and water may be limited; tell us what’s available and we’ll plan around it. The fryers are in the van, so the cooking happens right there at your event, so the batter is still crisp when it’s handed over.
Planning for dietary needs
We take allergies seriously. Here’s how you can help:
- Plan something for visitors we cannot cater for
- Tell us expected visitor numbers
- Agree how we will be paid: pitch fee, share of takings or minimum
- Send us the pitch size and ground conditions
When the event closes, we pack up.
A few benches near the van help.
How it works
Rain doesn’t stop the fryers, because the cooking happens inside the van. Visitors will still appreciate a bit of cover near the hatch. Summer fêtes in Maypole have long light evenings, with sunset about 9:15pm at midsummer, but by late September the light goes at about 7:00pm.
- Get in touch with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- A picture of the parking spot helps us check the van will fit.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- We park, open the hatch and start frying for your visitors.
- Once the last portion is out, we pack up and go.
Preparing for the day
- Plan where the queue will stand
- Name one person we can call on the day
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
Ask for a quote
Not sure of numbers yet? That’s fine: tell us the basics about your event, and we will firm it up nearer the time. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
Read more
Is a fish and chip van right for your event?
Cold food stalls are fine on a hot day, but hot food brings people in on cooler days. The cost per head generally falls as numbers rise, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Tell us your numbers for an accurate price.
Why Maypole hosts choose us
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- The queue at the hatch gets people talking
- All the chip-shop extras
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
Take a look at our pricing or what a fish and chip van costs.
Planning the van’s spot
We’ll be honest if a spot will not work, and help find another. The main points are:
- Vehicle access before the gates open and after they close
- A hard-standing or firm grass pitch
- Agreement from the site for a catering van
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise.
From the hatch
- Sausage and chips
- Cod and chips
- Chips
- Curry sauce
- Mushy peas
- Haddock and chips
A closer look at the menu
Sausage and chips
Sausage and chips is the go-to for anyone who isn’t a fish fan, especially with curry sauce.
Gravy
Chips and gravy is a favourite in the north and the Midlands, and it goes perfectly with a pie.
What affects the price in Maypole
The price comes down to a few factors:
- The date and time of year
- Numbers
- Whether a minimum applies
- Cod, haddock or both
Distance and any road charges make a difference, so it helps to give us the postcode.
Details that help
These details help us quote quickly:
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
- A picture of where the van would go
- Roughly how many people, including children
- The date and time of the event
It’s easy to get a price: tell us the date, place, numbers and serving time. We’ll send a clear quote that says what’s included.
Maypole: your questions answered
Do you trade at school fairs around Maypole?
Yes, if the school is happy for the van on site. Send us the date and where the van would go.
Which station is closest to Maypole?
The closest is Herne Bay station, roughly 2.6 miles away.
What do you bring?
Everything is cooked in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
How big a pitch do you need?
Level, firm ground the van can reach, and room for a queue. Tell us about power and water.
Where do you take the van?
We take the van across London and the South East, including Kent. Find your area.
Do you do school fairs and sports days?
Yes, once the school agrees where the van goes. Send us the date and the spot.
When do you arrive?
We get there in good time to set up. Timings are agreed in advance so food is ready when you want it.
What about visitors who don’t eat fish?
Sausage and chips and pie and chips are on the menu. Let us know about any other dietary needs and we’ll be honest about what’s possible.
Why choose fish and chip van for events in Maypole?
It suits almost every visitor.
Big or small, the van works the same way. Typical bookings include:
- Sports days
- Village fêtes
- Community open days
- Music and food festivals
If you’re organising a summer fair or sports day for a school such as Hoath Primary School, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser.
Comparing caterers
- How much space the van takes up
- How allergens are handled
- What happens if plans change
- When payment is due
For planners, venues and organisers
Wedding planners and venue coordinators are welcome to contact us directly, and we’ll keep you updated on arrival and serving times.
Many venues set rules for catering vans: where a van can park, access times and the paperwork they want. Send us your venue’s requirements and we’ll work through them with you.
Towns and villages near Maypole
Other occasions in Maypole
- 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