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'Random fluke' leads to pub helping cater factory

BBC A man in a blue chef uniform stood smiling in a food van with a big cake and around it. A women in a purple chef uniform is stood next to him. There's pasties and toasties and Pringle tubes in the counter.BBC
The Pitstop van feeds workers at the Agratas site near Bridgwater

A food van run by a pub is helping feed workers at a battery factory after a "random fluke".

Julia Wright and Peter Skinner run the Leather & Lace Bar and Grill in Chilton Polden, near Bridgwater, said late-night opening helped their cause.

Mr Wright said: "We were the only pub open on weeknight in the area and the bosses from Agratas were looking to eat - and the rest is history."

The Pitstop food van serves a variety of hot and cold food to workers with the £4bn gigafactory expected to be up and running by 2026.

Big tin van shaped like a caravan. There's food and drinks on the counter with a bakery area and lots of crisps. There's two workers in high-viz jackets waiting to order
Local Somerset produce is served to workers

The pub diversified to catering in a small van when asked by the construction site if they could adapt their menu to takeout food.

He continued: "For someone like our butcher, who's small and independent, they are growing with us with their local produce."

The Agratas site was a Royal Ordnance Factory from World War Two until it was decommissioned in 2008.

Three people in high-voz jackets and construction workers ordering food at the food van. There's food in the counter from drinks to pasties and toasties. There's a women leaning over taking their order.
Julia Wright and Peter Skinner said it was "very different" to running a pub

Ms Wright said it has been a "lovely" experience so far.

"The workers have short breaks so it's about having quick takeaway food and we've adapted well from being a pub."

A spokesperson for Agratas said having them on site showed their support for local businesses.

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