West Sussex · England
Funeral and Wake Catering in Mackerel's Common
We bring fish and chips for the wake across Mackerel's Common and West Sussex, cooking to order on site and serving from the hatch.
- Village hall wakes
- Celebrations of life
- Memorial events and anniversaries
Book the van in Mackerel's Common
Takeaway run or book a van?
DIY food keeps costs down, but the host spends the event serving. With a fish and chip van, you get hot food without the work.
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.
Funeral and wake catering for your wake in Mackerel's Common
Someone else can make the booking for you, so you have one less thing to do. On the menu are gravy, pie and chips and mushy peas, and we’re regularly asked to cater remembrance gatherings and family meals after the service.
Near Mackerel's Common, wakes are often at home or in the hall. Tell us about lanes and the ground. We serve from the hatch, so every portion is hot, and the queue keeps moving.
- Location
- Mackerel's Common (RH14)
- Region
- West Sussex
- Menu
- Fish and chips, sausages, pies
- Extras
- Mushy peas, curry sauce, gravy
- Quote
- Contact us for a quote
- Page updated
- 24 October 2026
Arranging a wake in Mackerel's Common
Mackerel's Common is about 10 miles west of Horsham, in West Sussex. Wakes in Mackerel's Common are planned around your venue and timings: a clear quote, an agreed spot for the van and food fried fresh on the day. Mackerel's Common is one of 371 places in West Sussex we cover. Our bookings stretch from Mackerel's Common to Guildford (about 14 miles away).
For anyone coming to the funeral by train, the closest railway station is Billingshurst station, roughly 4.8 miles south-east of the centre.
For wakes in RH14, we just need to know where the van can park and a serving time. If your venue is just outside Mackerel's Common, we also cover Kirdford (1 mile south), Plaistow (2 miles north), Ifold (2 miles north), Balls Cross (2 miles south-west) and Wisborough Green (2 miles south-east). Further out, we also take the van to Horsham (10 miles east), Broadfield (15 miles east), Storrington (9 miles south-east), Billingshurst (5 miles east), Bewbush (15 miles east) and Angmering (15 miles south).
The countryside around Mackerel's Common includes The Mens and Shillinglee Lake.
Why choose a fish and chip van in Mackerel's Common?
Compared with a buffet, fish and chips is hot and simple, and there’s less waste when numbers are uncertain. Distance and any road charges make a difference, so tell us exactly where your wake is.
Why book our van in Mackerel's Common
- We cook inside the van, whatever the weather
- Quick service from the hatch
- We cover Mackerel's Common and the whole of West Sussex
- Fried fresh, not kept warm
Read our pricing or our guide to van hire costs.
Allergies and dietary needs
Most events have a few guests with dietary needs. To plan for them:
- Check the hall or venue allows a catering van
- Mention allergies you know about
- Ask a friend to run a tea table
- Plan for a few extra people
We serve when people are ready.
Napkins and bins near the van keep things tidy.
What the van needs
A fish and chip van is a vehicle, so the spot matters, so a few things need checking. These are the things we check:
- A clear way in, with no low branches, cables or narrow gates
- Light near the van and the queue for evening service
- Confirmation that the van can park there
If in doubt, send us a picture of the spot and we’ll advise before booking.
Popular choices
- Pie and chips
- Sausage and chips
- Haddock and chips
- Cod and chips
- Mushy peas
- Gravy
Mackerel's Common: your questions answered
We’re gathering after a service at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist: can you come?
Yes, at a home, hall or venue nearby where the van can park. Food is usually served at the reception venue rather than the church. Tell us where you will gather.
Is Mackerel's Common close to London?
Roughly 37 miles from the centre of London, and we cover it as standard.
Can coeliacs eat the battered fish?
Standard batter is made with wheat flour, so battered fish contains gluten. Tell us about coeliac guests when you enquire, and we’ll be straight with you about what’s possible.
How much space do you need?
Less than you might think: a hard surface or firm, dry grass, that the van can reach easily. Send us a photo if you’re not sure.
Is short notice a problem?
We understand the timescales, so ask and we will reply quickly.
Can the van park on grass?
That depends on the weather and the ground. Tell us about it when you enquire, and we’ll advise.
What if the service runs late?
We plan for delays. We will agree a serving time and stay flexible.
How many people should we cater for?
It is hard to know, so a rough number is fine. Your funeral director can help.
Occasions we serve in Mackerel's Common
It is warm, simple food that almost everyone enjoys.
A fish and chip van suits almost any gathering. People in Mackerel's Common book the van for occasions like:
- Celebrations of life
- Scattering of ashes gatherings
- Village hall wakes
- Family gatherings after a burial or cremation
After a service at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, a wake at a hall or home close by means less travelling for everyone.
What your quote should include
- The cancellation terms
- VAT, if it applies
- Allergen information for each item
- When final numbers are due
Also near Mackerel's Common
More for events in Mackerel's Common
The process
We need time before service to bring the fryers up to heat, so we always arrive well ahead of your serving time. In summer, a wake in Mackerel's Common has light until about 9:20pm, while winter afternoons darken by about 3:55pm, so plan lighting near the door.
- Contact us 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 family and friends.
- Last portion served, we tidy up and head off.
Before we arrive
- Pick a flat, firm place for the van to park
- Check the venue or landowner is happy for the van to park
- Let us know the serving time
Getting a price
Each quote is put together for your wake. Start with your date, and we’ll check availability right away.
Planning help
The menu, dish by dish
Sausage and chips
A sausage and chips is the chip-shop classic for younger guests and fish-dodgers.
Haddock and chips
Haddock has a slightly sweeter flavour and a firmer flake. In the north and in Scotland, haddock is the classic.
Prices and what affects them
There are no hidden charges: the price is based on:
- The minimum booking
- How easy the site is to reach
- Peak dates such as summer Saturdays
- How long we serve
Compared with a sit-down meal, a fish and chip van is often good value, because it needs no kitchen and no crockery hire. We’ll send you a quote.
What we need to know
To speed things up, tell us:
- Where the event is
- Where the van would park
- Expected numbers
- A photo of the space and the way in
Still finalising the details? No problem: give us a rough idea and the date, and we will firm it up nearer the time. To start, send us your details through our quote form.
- 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