Controversial fish and chip van back in Corbridge

Sep 12 2009 by Laura Caroe, The Journal

A FISH and chip van, which was at the centre of a snobbery row, is set to become a feature in a historic village.

The van, when it first appeared in the village in 2005, was accused of attracting council tenants and ruining the culture of Corbridge, in Northumberland, by former chairwoman of the Corbridge Business and Visitor Network, Kay Allinson-Cooke.

She also claimed in a circular the culture had deteriorated quickly since the arrival of the van, owned originally by residents Margaret and Gary Wilkins.

Mrs Allinson-Cooke called for it to be removed from the market place to a car park on the south side of the village.

Corbridge soon became known as "the snobbiest village in Britain" and CBVN issued an apology for the comments and Mrs Allinson-Cooke resigned.

The Wilkins sold their van to a family member, but due to a drop-off in trade the van was sold on again.

However, chip shop owner Robert Frost, who before the furore sold his van and stopped operating in the village, has been determined to return.

Robert, who owns Frost’s Famous Fish and Chip shop, in Kenton, Newcastle, said: "I came to Corbridge with a van long before any of that happened and always got a warm welcome. It hasn’t put me off coming back.

"I sold the van to establish a shop and I’m in the position where I’ve built up a good team of staff so I can go out on the road again."

After three weeks of parking in the village’s St Helen’s Lane between 4pm and 7pm every Tuesday, during his rounds of other Tynedale villages, Mr Frost has had nothing but positive feedback.

"I knew from before that the business was here in Corbridge and we always get a good cross section of people," he said.

Chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, Coun Kate Oliver, who co-owns a business in the village, said: "I have absolutely no objection to a fish and chip van in Corbridge and never have done."