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National Lottery winners dish up community spirit at care home with new fish and chips business




A couple who won £1 million on a National Lottery scratchcard have used some of their winnings to set up a mobile fish and chip business.

Andrew and Paula Hancock from Boughton, Nottinghamshire will be serving the rural communities where they live with classic fried favourites such as cod and haddock, plus more exotic specials like squid and oysters.

To officially launch their new venture the couple visited a care home in their home town to serve up free fish and chips to staff and residents.

The pair come from a catering background and wanted to set up a business that made a difference to their community following their lottery win in 2019 and with the loss of rural pubs and restaurants over the last few years they decided a mobile fish and chip van would be perfect.

“We had a catering business before the win but sold it." Said Andrew.

"I’ve been itching to get back into the industry — I just love how food brings people together. But the challenge, especially with Covid, was finding and realising the right opportunity.

Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658843)
Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658843)

"You could say I’ve been fishing for the right venture which could only have been made possible thanks to our win.

“Having lived in the same rural area all my life I have seen many local independent businesses like shops and pubs close.

"It’s not just a loss of business and jobs but there’s also an effect upon the community — a loss of a meeting place. I hope this business will serve up more than just food and be a regular focal point for people.”

Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658828)
Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658828)

The Hancock’s say the response to their business, Loxley Catering, has been phenomenal following a soft launch during the summer holidays where they visited surrounding villages.

“We’ve had queues around corners." Said Paula.

"We once ran out of cod and one lady in the village of Walesby said it was the best thing to happen to the village in over 20 years.

"Customers have been chatting with each other while waiting to be served, catching up on village life. I really do feel we are serving more than just fish and chips.”

Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658834)
Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658834)

They have just received a five-star hygiene certificate from the local authority and team members who worked for the couple in their previous business have been re-deployed.

The van paid a special visit to Broadleaves care home in Boughton to serve up a treat to residents and staff.

Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658825)
Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658825)

Andy said: “We’ve been learning over the summer months, what works and what doesn’t, a sort of soft launch. But I wanted to officially launch with something special.

"Like many health sites, Broadleaves has been affected by Covid. It is just around the corner from us, and I used to play on the fields as a boy where it now stands.

"I’ve lived here all my life, I know the people and this is a business that will succeed, or not, due to the support of the community.

"Fish and chips is our national dish, everybody loves it and it just felt right to officially start by supporting local people.”

Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658831)
Andy, Paula and their staff cooking fish and chips for free at the Broadleaves Care Home, Boughton the village where the Hancock’s live. (59658831)

Sheena Jobson, Manager of Broadleaves Care Home in Boughton said: “Fifty-five residents and staff enjoyed delicious fish and chips.

"The unmistakable smell wafted across the site and created a real buzz when the van served everyone.

"It was a treat for everyone and so thank you, Andy and Paula for thinking of us. On behalf of everyone at Broadleaves, we wish you the very best with your new venture.”



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