Why plan for rain
Even in July, outdoor events in the South East get rain. A good plan means the food still happens and guests stay dry. A fish and chip van has an advantage here: the cooking happens inside the van, so rain doesn’t stop the fryers. The things to plan are the queue, the ground and the light.
Cover for guests
- A gazebo or canopy in front of the hatch
- A covered route from the marquee or house to the van
- Umbrellas by the door
- Somewhere dry to sit and eat
The ground
The biggest wet-weather problem for any vehicle is soft ground. A van that drives onto a lawn on a dry day may not drive off after a downpour. Choose a hard surface if you can, or have a back-up spot on a drive, track or car park. Tell your caterer about the ground and the forecast.
Wind
On the coast or on exposed hilltops, wind is often more of a nuisance than rain. Gazebos need weighting down properly, and the queue is more comfortable on the sheltered side of the van or a building.
Light
Rain brings darkness early. Make sure the van, the queue and the path are lit, especially in autumn and winter.
Agree the plan in advance
A week before, check the forecast with your caterer and agree: where the van parks if the ground is wet, where guests queue, and who makes the call on the day. Write it down and give it to your venue too.
Protecting the grass
If your event is on a lawn you care about, think about where vehicles and queues will go. Heavy feet on wet grass leave marks; a van on soft ground can leave ruts. Boards or mats under the queue area help, and a hard-surface spot for the van protects the lawn.
Making the call on the day
Agree in advance who decides on the wet-weather plan and when. A decision the evening before, based on the forecast, gives everyone time to adjust. On the day, the contact person can confirm with the caterer where the van will go as they arrive.
Keeping guests happy
A wet event can still be a good one. Hot food helps a lot. Make sure there’s somewhere dry to eat, put towels or mats by doors, and keep music and lighting going. People remember the atmosphere more than the weather.
Quick answers
Does rain stop a fish and chip van?
No. The cooking is inside the van. Plan cover for the queue.
What if the field is waterlogged?
Use a hard-surface back-up spot agreed in advance.
Planning an event? Tell us about it and we’ll check the date and send a quote.