Holbeach couple add ice cream and dessert van to their popular fleet

A Holbeach couple with two 1980s fish and chip vans have a new addition to their foodie fleet - an ice cream and desserts van.

Justin Price and Georgina Lee-Price have moved into the ice cream business by purchasing ‘Bella’ the 1989 Ford Transit to run Pink Desserts.

The couple are well-known for serving up fish and chips in their 1980s Mark 2 Ford Transit vans - known affectionately as Beryl and Betty.

Their business, The Hungry Plaice, has been frying high since launching in 2017 and was nominated for a prestigious National Fish and Chips award.

Justin and Georgina have been delighted with the response to Pink Desserts which is serving up tasty treats at different sites across the area.

Georgina said: “We wanted to expand and diversify the business.

“If you have fish and chips and ice cream - it is traditionally British.

“We have now set up a local dessert round - which is a bit like a fish and chip round.

“We started a few weeks ago and it has been surprising how successful it has been.

“We didn’t expect it straight away but people have been really keen.”

The couple’s expansion has also allowed them to bring friend Becky Brothwell onto the team.

After searching on eBay, they discovered Bella and soon snapped her up to join the team.

Georgina said: “We have renovated the inside and put some signs on the outside but she was already quite nice.”

Those with a sweet tooth will have a lot to choose from when visiting the van.

The menu includes crepes, waffles and churros served up with delicious soft scoop ice cream.

Georgina said: “We have been offering Easter specials which people are really happy with.

“Trays are also popular with four or five blobs of ice cream with a lot of toppings and chocolate sauce.”

They are building up a dessert round with stops programmed in Long Sutton, Gedney, Holbeach, Moulton and Tydd St Giles.

Georgina said: “The van is also joining us as corporate events and weddings.”

The launch of Pink Desserts comes a few months after the closure of Laddies in Holbeach.

For more than 100 years, people had travelled to enjoy the famous ice cream.

But the family took the decision to close the Church Street shop earlier this year.

Georgina said: “We wouldn’t be able to replace Laddies as they were in a league of their own.

“It is nice to be able to do some of the local events that Laddies had supported.

“I am proud that we can do that.”

Betty and Beryl are frying high

Justin and Georgina are already well-known for their 1980s fish and chip vans - Betty and Beryl (above).

Betty is believed to be the only 1980s fish and chip van still in operation and the pair are thought to be only Mark 2 Transits working in the mobile catering industry.

Georgina said: “We are expecting an incredibly busy year ahead.

“I think the mobile catering industry has changed over the years and people are looking for different ways of providing food at weddings.

“Since we have started we have been able to do that.”