'Unique' mobile fish and chip business given permission to operate in one area of Hartlepool

Hartlepool Borough Council Regulatory Sub-Committee heard from Phillip Wilson, from Wilson’s Traditional Fish & Chips, in September, who wanted consent to trade from his van at four separate locations a week in Hartlepool.

He said the ‘unique’ business would benefit the communities at the selected locations, especially given restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Council chiefs have confirmed the committee decided consent would be given for him to trade at one of the four requested sites, at the Front Street lay-by in Greatham on Fridays.

The van will be able to operate from 11am until 8pm every Friday for people to visit and purchase fish and chips from.

Posting on Facebook, Wilson’s Traditional Fish and Chips said it was ‘fantastic news’ they were given the go ahead for the Greatham site, despite ‘unfortunately’ being unsuccessful for the other locations.

Mr Wilson had also asked to trade from land off Newark Road on Tuesdays, Park Drive on Wednesdays and Osprey Way on Thursdays, all from 3pm to 8pm, but those three requests were refused by the committee.

Mr Wilson, from Greatham, speaking at the regulatory sub-committee, said the ‘unique’ business would bring something new and benefit communities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Takeaway food services, particularly those able to serve outdoors, have been popular during the pandemic due to first restaurants being closed, and then the additional risk and restrictions involved with dining-in when they reopened.

He said: “We feel as if we are a unique business in Hartlepool, something which has probably never been considered or seen in the streets before, certainly for a number of years.

“We also think there will be a large benefit to the community within all of those areas which we’ve identified.

“All I’m asking for is a chance. A chance to make my business work, get the business off the ground. ”

However at the meeting council officers warned the application could have a ‘detrimental’ impact on the local area.

Ian Harrison, council trading standards and licensing manager, said the locations selected for the mobile fish and chip van would be inappropriate due to being in or near residential areas.

He said: “As licensing manager I support any business that is beneficial to Hartlepool.

“However I believe that the locations proposed by Mr Wilson are simply inappropriate due to their residential nature and would suggest that he looks to trade from more established business locations where there are no residents to be affected and where there is an infrastructure in place to accommodate parking, litter etc.”

Mr Wilson added he is a ‘proud person of Hartlepool’ and ‘more than happy’ to put work in to ensure no litter is left behind.

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