Greater London · England
Fish and chip van hire in St James's, Greater London
From the smell of the fryers to the last chip in the paper, a fish and chip van turns food into part of your event in St James's.
- Summer garden parties
- Work Christmas parties
- Evening wedding food
Planning an event in St James's?
Fish and chip van hire in St James's, fried fresh
Queuing at the hatch is half the experience. People gather, catch up and get their food straight from the fryer. On the menu are mushy peas, haddock and chips and gravy, and we are regularly asked to cater community events and fairs and weddings and evening receptions.
Around St James's, most London bookings are at homes with a drive, workplaces with a car park, schools and halls. Parking is the main thing to plan, so tell us about driveways, parking bays or a council suspension when you ask for a quote. Tell us about dietary needs and allergies when you enquire, and we’ll be straight with you about what we can do.
- Location
- St James's (W1F, W1D, W1J)
- County
- Greater London
- Menu
- Cod, haddock, chips, sausages, pies
- On the side
- Curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy
- Quote
- Quoted for your event
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
Where the van can park in St James's
Before the day, we’ll agree where the van parks. It needs to tick a few simple boxes:
- A route in without tight gates or low branches
- Space for people to queue at the hatch
- A spot near your guests
St James's is in London, within the Ultra Low Emission Zone, and parking can be tight: let us know about off-street space or permits.
If you’re unsure, send a picture of the space and the way in, and we will say what we think before you book.
What we serve
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Sausage and chips
- Chips
- Gravy
- Pie and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Curry sauce
How the day works
There is very little for you to do on the day: show us the spot, tell us when to start, and enjoy your event. The frying and serving are down to us. In St James's, the sun sets at about 9:20pm in late June and about 7:05pm in late September, so summer evening events are usually served in daylight. In December it is dark by about 3:55pm, so winter events need lighting by the van.
- It starts with your date, venue, numbers and serving time.
- We check availability and access and send a clear quote.
- On the day, we park on the agreed spot and set up.
- Everything is fried fresh and handed over from the hatch.
- Afterwards, we clear up and head off.
Getting ready for the day
- Share the timings for the day
- Check the way in for low branches, cables and narrow gates
- Confirm the van is allowed on site
Ask for a quote
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you actually need. For a quote, send us your details through our quote form.
Planning help
What comes out of the fryer
Mushy peas
Mushy peas are made from dried marrowfat peas, soaked and cooked until soft. They’re the side most people expect.
Curry sauce
Some people won’t eat chips without curry sauce and it is on the menu.
Is a fish and chip van right for your event?
For food that suits almost everyone, a fish and chip van is a safe and popular choice. Dates make a difference: summer Saturdays and December Fridays are the busiest days of the year. Ask about your date early.
Why book with us
- Mushy peas, curry sauce and gravy on the side
- No surprises in your quote
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
- Nothing for you to cook or clear
Take a look at our prices page or what a fish and chip van costs.
Bringing the van to St James's
St James's is about 1 mile south-east of City of Westminster, in Greater London. Across the W1F area, we can bring the van to you. St James's is one of 764 places in Greater London where we bring the van.
Historic houses near St James's include Marlborough House (less than half a mile south-west) and Burlington House (within half a mile west). Estates like these tend to have strict rules for vans, so check before you book. PTAs at schools such as Soho Parish CofE Primary School frequently look for a hot-food stall for fairs and sports days.
Events anywhere in W1F, W1D and W1J start with a parking spot for the van and a serving time. We can serve an event on streets such as Duck Lane, Bruton Lane and Bridle Lane or the roads around them, wherever the van can park. St James's is on the A4 and A400, so it is easy for us to reach with the van. Neighbouring places where we serve events include Chinatown (1 mile north), Charing Cross (1 mile east), Soho (1 mile north), West End (1 mile north-east) and Burlington Estate (1 mile west). Further out, we also take the van to Kensington (3 miles west), Shoreditch (3 miles north-east), Walthamstow (7 miles north-east), Hoxton (3 miles north-east), Whitechapel (3 miles east) and Hampstead (4 miles north-west).
A little further out are St James Workhouse (within half a mile north-west) and Montfichet's Tower (1.4 miles east). Green spaces nearby include St. James's Park Lake and Ludgate Hill.
- Schools near St James's include LITE Regal International School (0.5 miles west) and Harris Westminster Sixth Form (0.6 miles south)
- Local pubs include Tom Cribb pub (within half a mile north-east)
- Other local spots include London Library (less than half a mile south-west) and Westminster St James (within half a mile west)
Allergies and dietary needs
Tell us about dietary needs and allergies early, and we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible. To make it work smoothly:
- Send allergies to us in writing
- Add an allergy question to your invitations
- Count children separately
- Let us know if anyone has coeliac disease
Keep the menu short and the queue moves quickly.
Somewhere to sit or lean makes fish and chips easier to eat.
Also near St James's
Also in St James's
Planners, venues and businesses
If you’re booking for a business, tell us how you’d like to handle the booking and payment, and we will talk you through the process. We can work with your facilities team on access and timings.
For big groups, the service window matters, so we can plan service to match. Staggering groups helps a lot.
What a fish and chip van costs
Your quote will be clear. What affects it most:
- Cod, haddock or both
- Whether a minimum applies
- How many people are eating
- The day of the week
Travel, tolls and charges such as ULEZ can affect the price, so tell us exactly where your event is.
Getting an accurate quote
For a quote, it helps to have:
- A picture of where the van would go
- Where the van would park
- Expected numbers
- Anything awkward about the way in
Every quote is worked out for your event. Start with your date, and we’ll check availability straight away.
DIY versus a fish and chip van
If you do order from a chip shop, ring well ahead and collect as close to eating time as you can. For anything more than a handful of people, a van is typically the easier option.
Weighing up a takeaway order against booking a van? Consider your numbers and how fresh you want it. We are happy to send a quote so you can compare.
Common questions in St James's
Can you serve after a service at St James’s Church?
Yes, at a nearby hall, home or venue with somewhere for the van. Churches rarely have space for a catering van, so the food is generally elsewhere. Tell us where you’ll gather.
Which station is closest to St James's?
St James's has its own station: London Charing Cross station.
How do you handle allergies?
We provide allergen information for everything we serve. Battered fish contains fish and, in standard batter, gluten. Send us any allergies in writing.
Is there a non-fish option?
There is: sausage and chips or pie and chips. Tell us roughly how many to expect.
What does the van need?
A level, firm spot it can drive onto, close to where people will eat, and space for a queue. Mention any narrow gates or soft ground.
Is fish and chips enough as a meal?
It can be. A portion of fish, chips and peas is a proper meal.
How much does a fish and chip van cost in St James's?
Every booking is quoted individually, so the price fits what you need. Give us your date, numbers and serving time for a clear quote.
Do you fry it on site?
It is. We cook inside the van, so it’s fried on the spot, rather than made in advance.
- 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