Greater London · England
Festivals, fêtes and school events in Shirley, Greater London
Fish and chip van for events in Shirley: cod, haddock and chips fried to order, then handed over hot from the hatch at the time you choose.
- Food for volunteers
- School fairs and sports days
- Festivals
Book the van in Shirley
Fish and chip van for events for your event in Shirley
A van suits shows and field events, as long as there is a firm route onto the pitch. On the menu are haddock and chips, mushy peas and cod and chips, and we’re frequently booked for church fêtes and food for volunteers.
Events in Shirley range from street parties and school fairs to markets and festivals. Organisers typically need council permission for public spaces, and we need a pitch the van can reach. Let us know about allergies and dietary needs in advance, and we will tell you honestly what we can offer before you book.
- Where
- Shirley (CR0, SE25, CR9)
- Area hub
- Greater London
- Menu
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Gravy, mushy peas, curry sauce
- Quotes
- Contact us for a quote
- Updated
- 24 October 2026
Shirley events: pitches and permissions
Shirley is about 2 miles north-east of Croydon, in Greater London. People in Shirley book us for all sorts of reasons, but the plan is always the same: a level spot for the van, a time to eat and food fried to order. Shirley is one of 764 towns and villages in Greater London where we bring the van. We serve events right across the region, from Shirley to London (about 8 miles away).
A summer fête at St George The Martyr Church is the classic setting for a fish and chip van. School fairs, for a school like Oasis Academy Shirley Park, are a natural fit for a fish and chip van.
Wherever your event is in CR0, SE25 and CR9, we can bring the van to you. We can serve an event on streets such as Poppy Lane, Homer Road and Craven Road, as long as there’s somewhere for the van. You’ll find Shirley on the A232, which makes the journey straightforward. We also bring the van to events in Monks Orchard (1 mile north), Shirley Oaks (1 mile west), Addiscombe (1 mile west), Ashburton (1 mile north-west) and Woodside (1 mile north-west). We also serve nearby towns such as London (8 miles north), City of Westminster (10 miles north-west), Marylebone (10 miles north-west), Kensington (10 miles north-west), St Pancras (10 miles north) and Shoreditch (10 miles north).
Other landmarks nearby include National Psychosis Unit (1 mile east) and Addiscombe (1.2 miles west). The countryside around Shirley includes Duppas Hill and Bramley Bank.
- Local schools include Orchard Way Primary School (0.6 miles east)
- Nearby, you’ll find The Cricketers pub (under half a mile west)
DIY versus a fish and chip van
Collecting fish and chips for a crowd yourself is possible, but it is hard work. By the time you’ve queued, paid and driven back, the batter has gone soft. With a van, it is fried on the spot.
Frying for a crowd at home is not a good idea: hot oil and a busy party are a bad combination. Leave the frying to a van built for it.
What a fish and chip van costs
Your quote will be clear. What affects it most:
- How many people are eating
- Any minimum charge
- Distance and any road charges
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
Comparing vans? Look at what each quote includes: service time, menu, travel, any minimum and VAT. We set ours out clearly.
Details that help
We can quote more accurately with a few details. Here’s what’s useful:
- The date and when you’d like to eat
- Allergies and diets you know about
- The address or venue name
- Rough numbers for adults and children
Send us the date, the address or CR0 postcode and rough numbers, along with your serving time, and we will reply with a quote. To get started, send us your details through our quote form.
Space, access and the venue
Every site is different, so we ask about the spot and the way in before we confirm. In general, we need:
- Vehicle access before the gates open and after they close
- Firm, level ground for the pitch
- Information about power and water
As a London location, Shirley is inside the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking takes planning: let us know about off-street space or permits.
If you are unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before booking.
From the hatch
- Haddock and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Curry sauce
- Chips
- Mushy peas
- Cod and chips
Diets, allergies and planning
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Try these:
- Offer a choice of traders where you can
- Tell us expected visitor numbers
- Display allergens for each stall
- Plan crew and volunteer food times
Mark out the queue area away from walkways.
Pre-selling meal tickets helps us plan.
Why fried-to-order beats a buffet
At bigger events, a chip van works alongside other traders. Larger groups typically cost less per head, since the van and set-up are much the same for any size. Give us your numbers and we will quote.
Why us?
- All the chip-shop extras
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
- Quick service from the hatch
- A van that becomes part of the event
Take a look at how we price or the cost guide.
Towns and villages near Shirley
What else we do in Shirley
Shirley: your questions answered
What about parking in Shirley?
It can be, so tell us about driveways, yards, car parks or a council suspension. We’ll work around it.
Can the van park in Ashburton Park?
Only if the landowner, typically the council, allows it. Ask them first, and tell us what they say.
Is grass a problem?
Usually, if it’s firm and dry. Soft, wet ground can trap any vehicle, so plan a back-up spot.
Do you need power or water?
A suitable spot for the van and permission to park there. Mention any power or water available and we’ll confirm the rest.
What do you bring?
Everything is cooked in the van. Let us know what’s available at the site.
How far ahead should we book?
Early, particularly for summer Saturdays and Christmas party Fridays. Ask about your date even if it’s soon.
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.
Do you do festivals?
Yes, where the date suits. Get in touch with the details.
Events we cater in Shirley
It needs little from volunteers.
Whatever the occasion in Shirley, a chip van is a crowd-pleaser. We are frequently booked for:
- Village fêtes and summer fairs
- Church fêtes and fish and chip suppers
- Club open days
- Country shows
Events in parks such as Ashburton Park need permission from the council or landowner, and the van needs a firm route onto the pitch.
What your quote should include
- If the price includes VAT
- How long service runs, and what happens if you overrun
- Whether there’s a minimum
- Allergen information for each item
The menu, dish by dish
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are a must for plenty of fish and chip fans, and they’re on the menu.
Pie and chips
A pie and chips is proper comfort food, and it’s especially welcome on a cold day.
How the day works
We take care of the food from arrival to the last chip, so you can enjoy your event. Winter fairs in Shirley are dark by about 3:55pm, so we need a lit pitch; spring events have light until about 8:50pm by late May.
- We start with a few details about your event.
- You get an availability check and a clear quote.
- We agree timings, access and the parking spot.
- We cook to order on the day for your visitors.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
Before we arrive
- Confirm numbers and dietary needs before the day
- Make sure the van can get in
- Let us know the serving time
How to get a price
We only need a few details to quote: the date, where the van would park, roughly how many people and when you’d like to eat. You can send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
- 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