It COD be you! Couple who won £1M on Lotto scratchcard buy chip van

It COD be you! Couple who won £1M on a Lotto scratchcard use winnings to buy mobile fish and chip van

• Husband and wife Andrew and Paula Hancock won £1m on a Lotto scratchcard
• The couple from Nottinghamshire have now set up a mobile fish and chip van
• They served up free food at a care home in hometown Boughton for the launch

A lucky couple who won whopping £1million on a Lottery scratchcard have used their winnings to buy a mobile fish and chip van.

Andrew Hancock, 49, and his wife Paula, 46, set-up their four-wheeled business after seeing how the loss of pubs and shops had damaged their local community in Boughton, Nottinghamshire.

Mr Hancock said: ‘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.’

Residents have praised the Lotto-winning couple for helping restore community spirits.

The Hancocks won £1m in July, 2019 after purchasing a National Lottery Scratchcard while out buying food for their cat Shortbread. 

Lottery millionaires Andrew Hancock (left), 49, and his wife Paula (front centre), 46, set-up their fish and chip van business after seeing how the loss of pubs and shops had damaged their local community

The pair, from Boughton, Nottinghamshire, will be serving local people with deep-fried favourites such as cod and haddock plus more exotic specials like squid and oysters

Left: Andrew and Paula Hancock, with their pet cat Shortcake, at The Pumping House in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire after they won £1m on a Lotto scratchcard in August 2019. Right: Andrew and Paula Hancock outside their new mobile chippy

Mrs Hancock said: ‘We’ve had queues around corners, 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.’

The pair will be serving local people with deep-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 hometown to serve up free fish and chips to staff and residents.

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

‘We’ve had queues around corners, 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,’ said Mrs Hancock

Andrew added: ‘We had a catering business before the win but sold it. 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.

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

The Hancock’s business Loxley Catering has been out and about in the surrounding villages during the summer holidays as part of their ‘soft launch’ – and the response has been phenomenal.

The couple have been able to re-employ some of the team who used to work for them at their previous business and they have just received their five-star hygiene certificate from the local authority.

The care home where the pair launched their business – called Broadleaves in Boughton – is near where Andrew played as a boy.

The couple have been able to re-employ some of the team who used to work for them at their previous business as their new chip van takes off in popularity

Andrew 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.’

Sheena Jobson, Manager of Broadleaves Care Home in Boughton said: ‘Fifty-five residents and staff enjoyed delicious fish and chips and the unmistakable smell wafted across the site and created a real buzz when the van served everyone across the site.

‘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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