West Sussex · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Merston, West Sussex
Treat your visitors to fresh fish and chips at your event in Merston. The van arrives, the fryers go on and everything is cooked to order, so nothing sits waiting in a tray.
- Feeding event crew
- Community open days
- Church fêtes and fish and chip suppers
Fresh fish and chips in Merston
Fish and chip van for events in Merston, cooked to order
We trade at village fêtes, school fairs, sports days, festivals and shows. For crew and volunteer catering and school fairs and sports days, we can cook curry sauce, cod and chips and sausage and chips.
Near Merston, events may be far from shops and cafés, so fish and chips goes down well. We plan the timings around your day, so the food is ready when you want to eat.
- Where
- Merston (PO20)
- Region
- West Sussex
- On the menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy
- Price
- Quoted for your event
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
How it works
Here’s how the day generally runs: the van arrives and we set up, the fryers heat up, and food goes out hot at the agreed time. December events in Merston lose the light at about 4:00pm, so we need a lit pitch; in late May there is light until about 8:50pm.
- Contact us with the basics: when, where and roughly how many.
- Show us where the van would go, and we’ll confirm it works.
- Closer to the day, we confirm the arrival time and serving time.
- The van rolls up, the hatch opens and the fryers get going for your visitors.
- Last portion served, we tidy up and head off.
Preparing for the day
- Tell us when you want to eat
- Send us final numbers and any allergies in good time
- Plan a bit of cover near the hatch if rain is likely
Ask for a quote
Every quote is worked out for your event. Give us your date first, and we will confirm whether we are available that day.
Read more
Places near Merston
What else we do in Merston
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
Cold food stalls are fine on a hot day, but hot food brings people in on cooler days. The price depends on numbers, the menu and how long we serve, plus travel and access. Every booking gets its own quote.
What you get with us
- Events in Merston and across West Sussex
- Cod, haddock, sausages and pies
- The queue at the hatch gets people talking
- Rain does not stop the fryers
See how we price and the cost guide.
Merston: your questions answered
Can you come to a school fair in Merston?
Yes, with the school’s permission. Send us the date and where the van would go.
Is Merston too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Tell us about lanes, gates and the ground.
Do you have a kids’ option?
Children are very welcome. Tell us how many children, and we’ll include them in the plan.
How far ahead should we book?
As soon as you have a date. Peak dates go quickly, so get in touch early.
How much is fish and chip van hire?
We quote for each booking, so the price fits what you need. Tell us your date and rough numbers for a clear quote.
Do we need to provide equipment?
All the cooking happens in the van. Tell us about power, water and bins at the site.
Can the van park on the street?
It depends on the road. A drive, car park or yard is generally easier; if it has to be the street, check with the council.
Is the food cooked at the event?
Yes. Everything is fried fresh in the van, and serve straight from the hatch.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
For a small group, making your own food can work. For larger numbers, or when you want hot food, a van takes the pressure off, and you get to enjoy the day.
Ordering from a local shop? Call ahead and collect at the last minute. For a crowd, a van is normally simpler.
Occasions we serve in Merston
It’s low-maintenance for organisers, because we bring what we need.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. In Merston, people book us for occasions like:
- Music and food festivals
- Club open days
- School summer fairs
- Feeding event crew
For visitors coming by rail, the closest railway station is Chichester station, roughly 2.3 miles west of the centre.
Comparing caterers
- Exactly what’s included in the price
- What happens if plans change
- How allergens are handled
- The service time, and the cost of running over
Food your guests will love
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. In the north and in Scotland, haddock is the classic.
Gravy
In the north and the Midlands, gravy is the side of choice, and it is lovely with a pie.
Prices and what affects them
Each booking is quoted on its own, based on a few main things:
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- Parking and the way in
- The number of meals
- The length of service
A chip van often compares well with a plated meal, because it needs no kitchen and no crockery hire. We’ll send you a quote.
What to tell us
You don’t need every detail fixed to get a quote, but it helps to know:
- The address or venue name
- Expected numbers
- Access details such as gates and narrow lanes
- Your date and serving time
Most quotes start with a few simple details: the date, where the van would park, roughly how many people and when you’d like to eat. To send them, use our quote form.
Fairs, fêtes and events in Merston
Merston is about 3 miles south-east of Chichester, in West Sussex. Give us the address of your event in Merston, and we’ll plan access and set-up. We cover all 371 towns and villages across West Sussex, from the larger towns to small villages. You can also see our page for Brighton, about 26 miles away.
Church fêtes, at churches such as Church of St Giles, are a natural home for a chip van. School fairs, for a school like Chichester Free School, are a natural fit for a fish and chip van. The coast is within about 4 miles of Merston, so for seaside events we plan a sheltered pitch, and fish and chips sells well by the sea.
Events anywhere in PO20 start with a parking spot for the van. For events just outside Merston, we cover Runcton (1 mile south-west), Colworth (1 mile east), Oving (1 mile north), North Mundham (1 mile west) and Lagness (1 mile south). We also serve nearby towns such as Worthing (15 miles east), Bognor Regis (3 miles south-east), Chichester (3 miles north-west), Selsey (6 miles south), Littlehampton (9 miles east) and Emsworth (9 miles west).
Well-known places in the area include The Chichester City Museum (2.3 miles north-west) and St Richard's Hospital (2.3 miles north-west).
- Local schools include North Mundham Primary School (1.2 miles west) and Chichester High School For Girls (2.1 miles west)
Planning the van’s spot
Most drives, car parks, yards and firm lawns can take the van, but a few things matter:
- A level, firm pitch the van can drive onto
- Space for a queue away from paths
- A back-up spot if the ground is soft
Not sure about the spot? Send us a picture and we’ll tell you honestly before booking.
Popular choices
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Chips
- Mushy peas
- Curry sauce
Looking after everyone
Most events have a few visitors with dietary needs. To look after them:
- Arrange bins and waste collection
- Tell us about the pitch
- Set a time for helpers’ food
- Have other stalls for special diets
When the event closes, we pack up.
A clear route for the van before the gates open avoids problems.
- 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