Surrey · England
Fish and Chip Van Hire for Merle Common events
Something for almost everyone: cod or haddock in batter, chips, sausages and pies, with mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy. Fish and chip van hire in Merle Common.
- Care home visits
- Gatherings after a funeral
- Summer garden parties
Planning an event in Merle Common?
Space, access and the venue
Plenty of places work for the van, but a few things matter:
- The site’s agreement to a catering van
- Flat, firm ground for the van
- A spot near your guests
If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before booking.
Popular choices
- Pie and chips
- Gravy
- Cod and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Chips
- Curry sauce
Fish and chip van hire in Merle Common, cooked to order
Fish and chips is generous food: big pieces of fish, crisp batter and a mountain of chips. It makes the food a talking point. For gatherings after a funeral and garden get-togethers, we’ll put together a menu of mushy peas, pie and chips and gravy.
Somewhere like Merle Common, a yard or firm field frequently works. Mention gates and soft ground when you contact us. Your quote spells out what’s included: the date, the service time and the menu.
A closer look at the menu
Gravy
Chips and gravy is a favourite in the north and the Midlands, and it’s lovely with a pie.
Pie and chips
For a heartier option, there’s pie and chips, perfect with gravy.
Questions from Merle Common
How far is Merle Common from London?
Roughly 19 miles from the centre of London, and well within our area.
Is Merle Common too small for a chip van?
No, we come to small places too. Let us know about access and parking.
Does the batter contain gluten?
Not as standard: batter is usually made with wheat flour. Let us know and we will tell you what we can do before booking.
How long does set-up take?
We get there in good time to set up. Timings are agreed in advance.
Can the van park on the street?
Only where it is legal to park, or with a council parking suspension or road closure. Ask your council early.
Do we need to provide equipment?
All the cooking happens in the van. Let us know what’s available at the site.
Can the van come to Merle Common?
Yes. We take the van across London and the South East, including Merle Common and the rest of Surrey. To check your date, send us your details through our quote form.
How fast is service?
Keeping choices simple and sending people up in groups helps. We’ll talk it through when we quote.
A chip van compared with other options
Next to a hog roast, a fish and chip van gives people a choice of fish, sausage or pie, which helps if some guests do not eat pork. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your event is.
Why Merle Common hosts choose us
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- Fish and chips fried fresh on site
- A quote that spells everything out
- Served hot, straight from the hatch
Read how we price and our guide to van hire costs.
Fish and chip van hire around Merle Common
Merle Common is about 6 miles south-east of Caterham, in Surrey. People in Merle Common book us for all sorts of reasons, but the plan is always the same: somewhere to park, a time to serve and fresh frying. Merle Common is one of 395 places in Surrey we cover. You can also see our page for London, about 19 miles away.
PTAs at schools such as Holland Junior School frequently look for a hot-food stall for fairs and sports days. Within reach of Merle Common are historic houses such as Chartwell (3.3 miles north-east) and Titsey Place (3.6 miles north). Historic venues often limit vehicles, so ask early if you’re booking one.
We cover events in every part of RH8 and the streets around it. Close by, we cover events in Crowhurst (1 mile south-west), Troy Town (2 miles south-east), Hurst Green (2 miles north-west), Pains-Hill (2 miles north) and Crowhurst Lane End (2 miles south-west). We also serve nearby towns such as Epsom (14 miles north-west), Horley (8 miles west), Redhill (8 miles west), Ewell (15 miles north-west), Reigate (9 miles west) and Caterham (6 miles north-west).
Nearby you will also find Tandridge Priory (2.1 miles north) and Haxted Watermill Museum (2.5 miles south). The countryside around Merle Common includes Botley Hill and Bay Pond.
- Nearby schools include Oxted School (2.4 miles north)
Allergies and dietary needs
A little planning makes sure everyone is looked after. Here’s how:
- Have bins and napkins near the hatch
- Tell us about coeliac guests specifically
- Have a back-up for anyone who cannot eat from the van
- Mention any vegetarian or vegan guests
A short menu keeps service quick.
A gazebo by the van keeps the queue dry.
Takeaway run or book a van?
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. Ask us for a quote and compare.
Ordering in from a local chip shop is an option. Large orders are slow, and the food cools in the bags. A van cooks in front of your guests instead.
How we price a fish and chip van
The same numbers can mean different prices, depending on:
- Your choice of menu
- How easy the site is to reach
- How long we serve
- How many people are eating
The date matters too: summer Saturdays and December Fridays are the busiest days of the year. It is worth asking early.
What to tell us
When you contact us, it helps to tell us:
- Allergies and diets you know about
- The address or venue name
- Your date and serving time
- Anything awkward about the way in
The more you tell us, the more accurate the quote: the parking spot, access, numbers and serving time. A photo of the spot helps too. To send your details, use our quote form.
How it works
Because we cook inside the van, rain does not stop us. It is worth thinking about cover for the queue, though. Evening events need a little planning for light: around Merle Common, it stays light until about 9:20pm at midsummer, while in December the light goes at about 3:55pm.
- 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.
- On the day, we park up and fry fresh for your guests.
- We serve from the hatch, then leave the pitch tidy.
Getting ready for the day
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Keep space clear for guests at the hatch
- Give us a contact for the day
Ask for a quote
It’s easy to get a price: share your date, address, rough numbers and when you’d like to eat. We will send a clear quote that says what’s included.
Read more
Also near Merle Common
Other occasions in Merle Common
Planners, venues and businesses
For repeat bookings, such as regular staff lunches or annual fairs, let us know your dates early, so we can plan ahead.
Parks, greens and streets typically need permission for a catering van. The council or landowner will tell you what they need.
- 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