Two sisters have asked councillors to allow them to keep a street trader’s licence for their family’s burger van business, started by their parents more than 40 years ago.
Ragan Newton and Jade Vallance want Brighton and Hove City Council to transfer their late father James McCue’s licence so that they can keep running the burger van in Clarence Square, outside Churchill Square shopping centre.
After their father died, the council allowed Mrs Newton and Mrs Vallance to keep trading on the old licence while they awaited a decision.
Council policy does not usually permit a street trader’s licence to be transferred so their application went before a licensing panel of three councillors – David McGregor, Sam Parrott and Kerry Pickett – yesterday (Thursday 22 January).
At a hearing at Hove Town Hall, the councillors were told that there was a waiting list, with other vendors hoping to take on the pitch where Mr McCue started trading in 1982 – one of just five such pitches.
The licence permits the sale of hot food and drink from outside the Prince of Wales pub.
Other food stands in Churchill Square are on the shopping centre’s land and are not covered by the council’s licensing regime.
At the licensing panel hearing, the councillors were told that there had never been any issues or complaints about the van and the family had always paid their pitch fees in full and on time. The business also had a five-star food hygiene rating.
Mrs Newton said that over the years the family had adapted its offer to meet demand, including selling fruit and vegetables, Christmas wrapping paper and mobile phone accessories.
For the past 10 to 15 years, they had focused on food sales – burgers and hot dogs.
She said: “I understand it has become a desirable pitch and I understand why people put themselves on the waiting list.
“In our view, it’s become desirable because over 40 years we’ve built it and established it.
“If someone else were to take over, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can have overnight success.”
Mrs Vallance said that the business used local suppliers who, along with staff, were worried about the business’s future if they were not permitted to keep the licence.
She said: “Even though this is our family legacy, we want to make sure the business is ethical and we’re offering social value to Brighton.
“Our family are from Brighton. My Dad was born in Brighton. My Mum was. Our business has always been here. And we want to make this something that continues but also changes and adapts to the modern world.”
The panel retired to make its decision which should be made public within five working days.
The burger van is an institution!Jimmy started this and I’m sure would love it to carry on in his family. Whenever me and my family are up town we always go fet a burger or sausage in a bun.Long nay the McCue family run the van !!
I agree – the business has been there as long as it has because they have the best burgers and hotdogs in Brighton!
I’m 40 and it’s been there as long as I can remember! I always enjoy a treat from there, it would be a tragedy if it went, it’s a part of Brighton as much as the pier or the pavillion is in my opinion!
There dad was a great fella always used to have a chat with him when he’d be parking his van in Regency Square Car park, I’d love to see the family keep their business going, I often go there when I’m along that way as the burgers are the best in town. Judging by how this Council operates now it will probably be all down to who pays them the most money as that’s all they’re interested in. They penalise the independent traders and come down hard on them, the big chains do whatever they want and the council do nothing against them because they’re frightened of them as they have money to fight back at the Council. Brighton and hove city Council are basically bullies but they won’t say boo to the big companies and they are frightened of there own staff and unions.
“now it will probably be all down to who pays them the most money “
Since the cost of the license is the same whomever gets it and there can’t be a bidding war the council will get paid the amount listed in the street trading policy.
And if you are suggesting anything nefarious there are some lovely men and women in blue uniforms working from an office on John Street who would happily chat to you about your evidence. As would the councils external auditor.
No doubt it will go to some awful chain or scummy operator instead. Brighton of old is being slowly erased.
Not really based on anything, that opinion, is it?
Iconic burger van
I do enjoy their bratwurst; it speaks to my heritage! I believe succession should be allowed here; this isn’t a transfer of a business to another group or person, it’s within the same, direct family. There’s good evidence for the continuation of businesses rather than turnovers. Moreso, they’ve appeared to have done everything right over the years and in this application.
I do hope it goes in their favour.
I agree with the other comments. This is a successful family business that should be allowed to continue. My family always buys their wonderful burgers when we have a shopping trip. So much better than the burger chains around. I hope the council renews their licence and they carry on their families legacy. A lot of other businesses rely on them too.
The best reson for going town.
If they do not get the licence and someone takes over, it will not be the same, me and my husband have been known to get a bus into Churhill Square just to have a chilly hotdog.
This is part of the furniture of Churchill sq everyone looks forward to a burger or hotdog from there value for money! they are the best in Brighton! The even help the homeless! Please let the same family continue trading we need more family owned businessess not less!
“… everyone looks forward to a burger or hotdog from there”
Everyone certainly doesn’t look forward to a burger from them!
The business should continue enough of the towns locals have been lost all the character has nearly gone
Let’s keep the original things we have left for as long as possible
The van is always busy the public want it to continue as it is with the same family behind it .
Brighton needs more of this
I do hope this stays within the family, it has to be the most “impossible to walk past” venue in Brighton
Fantastic burgers always have to paythem a visit when up town. Please keep this business where they are its part of our cities heritage, we are loosing to many stop the erosion. 🙏🙏
Hopefully, the people making this judgement have themselves eaten from this unique wonderful burger van. The best in Brighton.
The people making the decision will make it based on law and policy and not emotion.
That hot dog van is the ONLY reason I go to Churchill square, it’s the ONLY decent thing there ! The food is fantastic and good value , don’t let it go !
The van should stay and carry on the family legacy, it’s one of the few iconic brightonian things we have left, first grubbs now this
I used to go to the store with my parents and for the last 12 years have been taking my sons there for a treat when we’ve been shopping.
They’re so lovely, and we’d be absolutely gutted for them to be replaced. They’re a Brighton institution. Good honest food at reasonable prices, with a smile and a cheery bit of chat.
It would be sad to see it replaced with quirky food that you can find elsewhere in the town or burger vendors without personality or care for their customers.
I only found out about this by sheer chance and I’m sure there are plenty of other Brighton’s who would feel the same way if they knew this vendor was at risk.
I didn’t know Jimmy had passed. So sad to read this. He was a lovely man. Met him many times when I worked as a singer at the Prince of Wales pub. He was a very kind & geneous soul. My deepest condolences to his family. I hope the council see sense & allow the stall to continue in his legacy. I remember eating thier yummy hot dogs 30+ years ago when I was a teenager! That stall is an Iconic Brighton Institution.
When I go to Churchill square i think burger van. Altough I always have the hot dog or bratsurst. Would be really sad to go. Prices are always so good.
I thought it was owned and managed by Dave KESTON and his son? I believe they might have sold it a few years ago as they brought Wolfies Fish & Chips shop in Goldstone Villas.