Home   Spalding   News   Article

Subscribe Now

New look for A17 roadside snack bar between Whaplode Manor and Saracen’s Head that’s popular with TV stars and a former prime minister




A burger van that has fed TV stars and a former Prime Minister is celebrating an upgrade.

For the past 18 years Michelle’s Snack Bar has proven itself as a popular place to get good grub on the A17, as proven by the queues of punters lined up to place their orders and enjoy a good chat.

It has also been a regular stop-off for comedian Chrissy Rock of Benidorm fame and Homes Under the Hammer star Tommy Walsh, while David Cameron also pulled in for a bite to eat in the build up to the 2023 general election, ironically around the same time opponent Ed Miliband was being publicly lampooned for his eating of a bacon sandwich.

Michelle Coates, Cathy Dance and regulars at the new snack bar. Photo: Michael Lorkowski
Michelle Coates, Cathy Dance and regulars at the new snack bar. Photo: Michael Lorkowski

But to ensure customers are still getting the best service possible, business owner Michelle Coates has invested in a new, bigger and better trailer, which was out for the first time on Thursday January 18, after being given a makeover by Holbeach-based Stuart Alan Signs.

“It’s a new trailer, new look, but very similar to the last trailer I had for 11 years… just a bit more up to date,” said Michelle, 44.

“I’ve had five new ones over the last 20 years. Each time they get a it bigger and you learn more about how you want it laid out.”

Michelle Coates and Cathy Dance at the new snack bar
Michelle Coates and Cathy Dance at the new snack bar

Michelle, who lives in Whaplode with husband Graham, gave up factory work to set up her own snack bar business 20 years ago.

After pitching up at Spalding market and a number of other areas, she found a permanent spot on an industrial estate in March.

But, with her name down on the waiting list for this layby, which sits between Whaplode Manor and Saracen’s Head, it finally became hers 18 years ago.

The all-new Michelle's Snack Bar
The all-new Michelle's Snack Bar

“I only live in Whaplode so this one was a no-brainer,” Michelle said.

“It’s gone really well, we’re nice and busy. We get great support from the transport industry, local workmen, local people.

“We’ve got lots of regulars, some that come three times a day and we do phone orders for local businesses.”

Michelle Coates meets internet sensation Spud Man
Michelle Coates meets internet sensation Spud Man

As well as the regulars who travel along the A17, the snack bar also has visits from holidaymakers who make stopping off for food a must-do part of their trips to Norfolk.

“In summer we get a lot of holiday traffic, and the same people coming back year after year,” Michelle added.

“We’ve got regulars in Scotland. It’s lovely, really nice that keep coming back.”

With more and more fast food chains popping up along the A17, Michelle finds it refreshing that many road users still enjoy the service provided by her and colleagues Cathy Dance - described as ‘part of the furniture’ after working at the spot for the last 15 years - and Barb Kingshott.

“I’ve always had the mindset that drivers will go to Costa and places like that at the weekend, so they don’t always want to go to the same places and they don’t want to eat out of a tatty van,” she said.

“You can have nice clean trailer on the roadside, and people will go there. We do really good food at good prices.

“Some people have a bit of a stigma about snack bars, but we have a proper kitchen inside, four sinks, two proper hand wash areas, food wash. We have to abide by the same rules as a restaurant kitchen.

“It has to be the same, and we always pride ourselves on being clean.”

While there’s plenty of chat - and gossip - flying around the layby, Michelle says running a roadside snack bar is more of a ‘way of life’ than a job.

Days begin at 4.15am, heading off to buy fresh bread from across the border in Norfolk, before not finishing up until at least 6pm in the evenings.

On top of that, Michelle has also working on her own TikTok page after meeting up with internet food sensation Spud Man, who runs his own jacket potato business in Tamworth.

But if you can dodge the pitfalls - one snack van was stolen from her drive in the middle of the day 19 years ago - then it’s also a very rewarding job.

“There’s not a lot of time left, we’re open five days a week and Saturday mornings from spring to autumn,” Michelle continued.

“But we have a good time.

“The main seller is the sausage, bacon and eggs, but we do a fantastic range of burgers as well.

“Most regulars have the same thing day after day. Mostly we can just ask ‘the usual?’.”

Have you got a story to share? Get in touch via news@lincsonline.co.uk



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More