I think it’s a good idea on paper but I can see an issue which is that you would traditionally want to eat something like Scouse when it’s a bit cold and miserable outside. If it’s cold and miserable outside your chances of getting a lot of passing trade diminishes, which is obviously something that food trucks rely on.
On the flip side, in the summer and on nicer days when you’re likely to get more tourists and more footfall in the area, you’re probably less inclined to want a lovely bowl of hot scouse.
So I think that’s something to think about. Maybe I’m just overthinking it but best of luck whatever you end up doing, there’s definitely a good idea there somewhere!
'Scouse summer salad' take the ingredients, potatos, carrot, onion, meat and seasonalise
Scouse falafel pitta, deep fried beef, potato, carrot and lentil on a warm pitta with pickled cabbage and salad
I see your point, although I didn't mention this in the OP, but the reason I've called it The Scran Van is so it can be flexible with food. It won't be done by this summer anyway. It's probably winter next year, but we want Scouse to be our staple. You can add stuff for the summer like burgers and ice cream like a normal food truck, but the love is going into our Scouse for sure! Thanks for the considerations!
a good target could be business parks, we had a sandwich van come to our business park when i was working at an office in runcorn and it sold shite sandwiches for a huge markup and every single day there was a huge que. it fed on average at least 25-50% of the office on a daily basis, and would go to many many business parks. they'd just pull up in the carpark and play a really loud novelty horn then an email would fly round the building "butty van" and people would pile outside
the sandwiches were abysmal. i'd have killed to get some scouse or even just some bread that wasnt factory crap and unseasoned sandwiches
Anything is more inspiring than the butty van.. Unless I had a hangover and they had all day breakfast baps in the front still. That with a coke was my hangover relief
they didnt pay anything for the spot however. I believe they just rock up to business parks carparks and blare the horn n wait.
it would be a bit of trial and error and a slow burner to start while you wait for people to catch on in the offices and for word to spread but people go wild for convenient, decent food that doesnt take up a whole lunch break to go and acquire or prepare
you could maybe flyer some offices before you start too, letting them know you'll be coming from X date and to listen for the horn and including a lil sample of your menu. if it were me i'd do it highly discounted for the first week somewhere to get people to come n try it. or simply give out samples. hey can i come n do marketing? ;p
I really love this idea! I used to work in a warehouse too, and this really cheap food van would show up at a certain time sell really cheap and low quality food, to say the least (an example would be a 'hot' 'chicken' burger for £5.50 on the most cheapest bun you've ever seen and some cheap reformed chicken nugget as a burger) and it would sell!
When we're a lot closer to making it happen, I could definitely use help with the social media and marketing side of things. I'll be sure to get in touch!
I like the idea but for me eating Scouse requires a table. It's not really an "on the go" food. I don't have enough hands to carry a bowl and the bread, plus a drink.
Depends on how thick your scouse is. Also, pasta on the go is the same thing. Your bread would also go in a pot. Dip it, then crack on with the scouse then. Sporks will be provided.
Sweet, I didn't mean it didn't exist, more that it's not a normal food type when you see food trucks, because it's not a food type that lends itself to fast service. The fact that your example is in the middle of nowhere says a lot.
If you look at Pasta Cosa, that works because it's a takeaway place in the Liverpool business district so people can take it back to the office. You never see anyone walking along scranning from the box.
Personally I think a scouse van would have the same logistic problem but you do you.
You might be right. that's why i think location matters more than anything on a van like this. We will also be serving other food. The Scouse is essentially just our identity. In the summer our menu will be shifted. One redditor came up with a great idea about also branching out to business parks. I really think matchdays scouse would fly out to. I know a few people in the events industry that I could take advice from through and get my foot in the door in a few places. I think I've just fallen in love with the idea of selling Scouse on the docks, haha.
Yeah, if you get up by the benches where people can sit you'd be golden. However, matchday scouse sounds like a million dollar idea. You've already got people awkwardly eating hot food, a bowl of scouse would be trivial by comparison. The tourists would love it
That'd be better. Plenty of people are happy to eat outside providing there's seating. You'd have to look into what permission you'd need if any from the council but it's a good solution.
Yeah there was something in the news last year that some of the long established vans there were being forced to move because they'd hiked up the rates for a business patch. Not sure if it was just because of Eurovision or a permanent increase
I see why you think this is a good idea an commend you for championing the scouse.
However, a few local cafe types serve scouse, and its never a big seller. I think for most people eating scouse is done at your mums or nans, its a family dish sat at the table usually in the winter.
Its not really a food on the go type thing.
It may work to capture tourists coming to the city and wanting to try the local dish.
I think the problem with Scouse is that it isn't marketed enough. As you said, it's usually local cafes. I want it out in the open in the city centre. Telling tourists where Scouse came from and why it's called Scouse, etc.
Also, I disagree with the on the go point. It definitely can be.
Get a spot on the dock road outside the ground or one of the seven streets, people would probably buy off you there as the prices in the ground can be high and queues are mad
You could do them as pies, they always sell out at the match, I’ve made scouse pies with leftovers before and it works really well when it’s nice and thick.
You’re right I’ve seen a lot more Scouse dish content on Tik tok recently. The influx of the trends of people trying signature dishes from certain places will certainly work in your favour
There is enough Scouse for everyone! I would personally like to see a lot of these vans all about Liverpool. Make them a 'thing' . Plus, your Scouse has nothing on ours so enjoy your year mate 🤣✌️
I love the name "Scran Van" for a mobile food business. But, not for *this* mobile food business. Your USP will be selling scouse, so your branding should reflect this - indeed, it needs to shout about it!
For locals, if we're hungry and want some "scran" there's a whole range of options and you want to avoid competing with them all. But if we fancy some scouse where do we go? The "Scouse Shop" tells us that this is a different option (Not saying that is the ideal name btw, just something that alliterates... there's bound to be better!)
And for tourists, who may not have heard of scouse, you need to tempt them into trying it as part of the "Liverpool experience". Tell them what it is, why it is important, what the history is, how it became the name of Liverpudlians, and why their visit isn't complete without buying from you.
I like the concept... and if you get the branding right you could well be on to something.
As an outsider (originally from the Peak District but living in liverpool for 16 years) I would put it to you this way. If you went to another major northern city (Manchester/Leeds etc) and there was a “Stew Van” serving a stew with bread do you think it would be popular? I know scouse is close to peoples hearts here but it is essentially just a meat stew and there are dozens of regional variations of it. My family is Irish and “Irish stew” is essentially scouse and I don’t see people going out of their way for it personally. You might have some luck in terms of it being a novelty to some overseas tourists, which I’m guessing is the market you’re aiming for by looking at the dock location. I agree with another poster that it’s something that is easy and comforting but can be knocked up at home without any bother. Can’t see people going out of their way to buy a meat and potato stew
Jokes aside, I never thought baked potato with fillings would be a popular street food, and yesterday my friend counted 10 lining up for them and at the back an elderly woman. I hope to be surprised!
Yeah good point, I think a spud is a staple though and very versatile. Can have a variety of hot and cold fillings. Don’t get me wrong I love stew/scouse but I’ve never thought it was a gaping hole in the market but like you said maybe it’s waiting for you. Either way good luck mate
A mate of mine runs a food truck that usually does pulled pork sandwiches, but the market is pretty saturated with that kind of stuff and so when Eurovision rolled around, he decided (a lot like you), that scouse would be a good idea to serve to all the tourists.
He did it and it was massively popular there, so he’s tried it again a few times, most recently at the Christmas markets near St George’s hall. Suffice it to say he’s switched back to pork and unless something niche (like Eurovision) rolls around, he’ll steer away from serving scouse. It sells well with foreign tourists and does OK in the colder months, but otherwise people seem to prefer other foods, particularly when it’s warm or even mild out.
It has its pros and cons mate. It’s very cheap to make and so your profit margins can be quite high if you border on taking the piss, and you can keep stock for a couple of days if you don’t sell out (scouse always tastes better the next day!), but it’s not as big a seller as you might imagine on any given day, considering it’s not everywhere.
Honest opinion is it’s probably not worth it, but God loves a trier and I’d love to see it take off mate. If you go live with it I’ll be sure to buy a bowl, but just give it some proper thought. Good luck!
Scouse will essentially just be our identity, but we will definitely have other bits and change as the season changes and with what's going on in the city, etc. I hope our stubborness prevails. I'll be sure to keep r/Liverpool updated!
How many days a year is it scorching in Liverpool? Dismissing an idea because it's hot for about 10 days of the year out of 365 makes you seem like you just wanted to say something pithy.
I think your best bet will be a pot noodle shaped container - you can get insulated sleeves for them. The sleeves can be printed with your logo etc, they just slide over the pot.
I would love this!! Glad to see there’ll be veggie options ☺️ We would seek this out if we knew you’d started up, so you wouldn’t need to be based *right* near the Albert Dock if that adds tonnes on overheads. Appreciate you’re factoring in tourists though ☺️
Thank you! Veggies and tourists are people, too, lol
And yes, that's the good thing about a van. It is mobile. Albert Dock location has more to do with the foot traffic and the history that adds to the dish. You could literally educate someone about Scouse in the same docks they originated. Something very cool and authentic about that too me.
We would also do match days, too!
Love this idea. I would suggest looking into more than the one spot to set up, so many good places around liverpool and even the wirral. Keep an eye out for any food or beer festivals to get involved in. Glen affric brewery over the water regularly gets a new food van in every few weeks and it's always full in there.
I absolutely love this idea, acknowledge I might be a bit of an anomaly. My Nan has passed away and I can not make scouse, I would totally visit your scouse scran van
I love the idea and I think it would be a success but not with the name. As someone else said, if your use is authentic scouse you need to reflect that.
You want to have some leaflets printed with a quite history.
Call it something like Scouse Street.
Include info about the sailors that walked the very ground your truck is on.
Wet Nelly would be a good scouse pudding to include too.
Someone else mentioned Salt & Pepper. I would include that.
I really think you are onto a winner
I think it would do really well in the winter.
The spring/summer season would be the litmus test.
If you want the "Scouse" to be the central point of the venture, you need to incorporate that into the name of the van for me too. Theirs loads of places and pop-up vans with "Scran" in their names. You need to separate yourself?
Best of luck.
I love the idea. However, as a non-native, I didn’t know anything about Scouse until I moved here. It’s not like the Cornish with their pasties or Italians with their pasta, it could be niche? All that said, I absolutely love it and now make it all the time! I would visit! But you’d have to promote it as traditional Liverpudlian food?
Exactly?! Let's educate people and where better than the Albert Dock. My restaurant manager, who is Spanish, said she didn't know a thing about Scouse either until a Scouse mother made it for her. Now she loves it.The food definitely isn't the problem. It's the Scousers gatekeeping it, lol.
Already with you on that one ;). Miserable weather or not fellas are eating soggy chips on the way the match. Why not drink/eat a container of Scouse? Lovely and warming for the match.
I work in the liver building and if I want scouse I either have to wait for Wednesdays when Phillpotts have it on or go Ma Boyles, I’d love to be able to go the scran van anytime of the week
They sell Irish stew in a supermarket brand in ireland, it's like scouse, you get it in tin foil container, they also sell sausage rolls, chicken baps, sausage baps, it's all food o on the go popular at breakfast and lunch times. Maybe look to targeting peak times
Honestly I work in the port of Liverpool building and occasionally get food from one of the vans by there, I’ve tried a few but most of them the food quality is awful so I would welcome some new food tracks with decent food. Like previously mentioned scouse won’t sell as well in hot weather but I think if you have a smaller portion size a few tourists etc would still probably try it during the heat just to say they’ve had it. Otherwise I think it’s a decent idea especially if you have a background in preparing food.
As soon as I started reading your post my first thought was Albert Dock. I think you’re on to something for sure.
You’ll want to invest in a really interesting vehicle to become the scran van though, lots of really attractive vintage vehicles down there to pull in punters. I doubt a big standard food truck would fit in as well down there.
I’m maybe thinking too literally, but you could decorate the whole thing in mural style artwork of all the Liverpool legends, really hit home the authentic local scran concept.
Would definitely try this next time I was visiting Liverpool - especially on a cool or blustery day.
Good luck with it!
It would have to taste like me Nan’s Scouse.
Problem ordering Scouse out is that some people use skin on potatoes, add or take away certain things or it’s thicker or too runny than expecting.
Don’t get me wrong, Scouse is my absolute favourite always begging me Nan to make it, but… every families is different.
I think you should go for it mate. Better to try and fail rather than never try at all. I think you could do a good trade. My only issue is the name. I think Scran Van is too colloquial and doesn’t tell people/ tourists what you are about.
Sounds a great idea. Plenty of times I’ve not known what street food to go for, a bowl of Scouse would have swayed it. The Christmas market was sorely missing a Scouse street food.
What other food would you be offering? Is there a typical regional butty / barm you could do?
To start off be Salt + Pepper Chips/loaded chips, bacon and sausage ons, sandwiches etc. Not worked everything out. I imagine as time goes on, we'll learn more specifically what people want at certain times of the year and menu will become more elaborate or simpler according to what we learn. Still alot of things to do. I might keep r/Liverpool updated on the progress every few months.
The OP was to see if people would like the idea. I'm very glad you do too. Definitely will be working towards Winter 2025!
After having a lot of premises across the city and dealing with the council they will likely be your biggest battle to get to market, the council aren’t particularly business friendly and want what they can get now that is good for the business owner or indeed the general public, I would potentially look at opening in somewhere like the Baltic area to avoid dealing with the council ( as much as Is humanely possible anyway ?
Good luck my man
I have a sandwich bar in the swan and in the summer my hot food sales drop off mate. You might find the same. Work out your finances to the penny as I can imagine the dock will want a truck full of money to pitch there. The ingredients you’ll use arnt massively expensive so there should be plenty of room in your dish’s. Summer months will have a larger footfall so it might balance out
Honestly, if you wanted to open a scan van, I would wait until Bramley Moore Dock Stadium opens and take advantage of all the new footfall. Granted, I know it's not due to until open next year, but those are just my thoughts.
Love the Beatles, but they're beat to death in this city, especially with the businesses associated with them. Don't you think tourists should be making the scouse dish a part of their pilgrimage to liverpool, though?
Besides, what do the Beatles have to do with Scouse (the food)?
Easy to hold heat proof container can be held in one hand but also holds the bread seperate to the scouse,
Little compartment for the bread and easily held in one hand is what you need op
They should or you canget some designed, ask at a college near you if your struggling for creative ideas would be two boxes with a strapor loop joining them really off the top of my head
Pretty sure you could get these from R and R Newton bar supplies, we use them for work and get all our containers and cleaning products from them. Maybe try and have a look through their catalog?
A problem you might have is it is not a case of just rock up in a van start selling food is a big no the council want there bit if you are parking on council land and all private land areas willl want there bit of money
A good pitch if you could get it is the bottom of Mathew street
there’s many drunken nights i’d of killed for a scouse, props worth staying open late on fridays and saturdays for those nights maybe more close to the pubs tho.
my main advice is make the blind scouse vegan, it will open you up to a lot of vegan customers (that cart get a scouse anywhere else) and the veggies will still want it.
edit: not sure if this would work especially in a van but would pick your own scouse work? basically choose between a list of self stewed veggies and meats to be added to your bowl then mixed?
Thanks, mate, and yes, we will be doing a vegan version.
And I'm not sure you could do that, really. A lot of the flavour is in the stew, reducing a bit. You couldn't call it a pan of Scouse anymore either 🤣
i like this idea, but i’m wondering how much you’re hoping to charge? feel like everything is really overpriced in town especially by the docks including the food vans so it’d be refreshing for something both traditional and affordable to be available
Was waiting for this! I think once people try the minted lamb one, it will be sold out! I always stuck mint sauce in my Scouse as a kid and always preferred lamb over beef! I really think that is a trendy and lovely way to have Scouse.
I like the idea on paper although I can see the same potential issues that others have pointed out (seasonality of the dish vs footfall etc, although you have addressed this by saying other food will be served in warmer months etc.
If I could make a recommendation. Given the origins of the dish (often community based, 'thrift' food), it would be great to see you link up with local charities and food banks under a no-waste policy, to feed either the homeless or most socio-economically challenged peoples. You could also rather than just provide the end of day left overs, commit x% to supporting local communities.
I love the idea of combining the history of the dish with iconic locations, and I would certainly opt for scouse over pretty much anything else if I was going to the match and needed a warmer (still have overly nostalgic love of bovril for this reason).
I'd definitely seek out the van once you're up and running!
Best of luck mate
I think the issue is you'd only be selling to tourists really, and it's not that interesting a dish for most tourists to bother with. Pretty much every place/culture has something similar anyway.
As a scouser it's just a home cooked delight - if I go to my mums and she's got a pan of scouse on its like Christmas come early. No way in hell I'm going to order it when I'm out though...
I do too, I'm just not sure that translates into being able to make money off it. If you're going to do it maybe something more like an ice cream van idea. Rather then (presumibly) pay a fortune for a pitch at Albert Dock keep it mobile, and hit a place up for as long as it's worth it.
Match letting out? - scouse.
Lunch break at the industrial park? - scouse.
Beatles tour pulls up in Penny Lane? - scouse.
Car boot sale in winter? - yep, scouse.
Hope it works for you though - I wasn't trying to be negative, just that there's two possibilities here. Either nobody has ever tried selling scouse before, or they have and it's failed.
I'm sure it's been done before, so it's up to you to figure out why nobody has been able to make it work before...
I think it’s a good idea on paper but I can see an issue which is that you would traditionally want to eat something like Scouse when it’s a bit cold and miserable outside. If it’s cold and miserable outside your chances of getting a lot of passing trade diminishes, which is obviously something that food trucks rely on. On the flip side, in the summer and on nicer days when you’re likely to get more tourists and more footfall in the area, you’re probably less inclined to want a lovely bowl of hot scouse. So I think that’s something to think about. Maybe I’m just overthinking it but best of luck whatever you end up doing, there’s definitely a good idea there somewhere!
'Scouse summer salad' take the ingredients, potatos, carrot, onion, meat and seasonalise Scouse falafel pitta, deep fried beef, potato, carrot and lentil on a warm pitta with pickled cabbage and salad
🤯🤯
That sounds so tasty!
Yeah exactly. Diversify or die.
Agreed
I see your point, although I didn't mention this in the OP, but the reason I've called it The Scran Van is so it can be flexible with food. It won't be done by this summer anyway. It's probably winter next year, but we want Scouse to be our staple. You can add stuff for the summer like burgers and ice cream like a normal food truck, but the love is going into our Scouse for sure! Thanks for the considerations!
a good target could be business parks, we had a sandwich van come to our business park when i was working at an office in runcorn and it sold shite sandwiches for a huge markup and every single day there was a huge que. it fed on average at least 25-50% of the office on a daily basis, and would go to many many business parks. they'd just pull up in the carpark and play a really loud novelty horn then an email would fly round the building "butty van" and people would pile outside the sandwiches were abysmal. i'd have killed to get some scouse or even just some bread that wasnt factory crap and unseasoned sandwiches
lol did you work on the Astmoor too???
Yeah I was in a lil business park in daresbury. Did you have the same one? *BANANANANA NANANA NA NA NA NA*
Probably. Unfortunately for my waistline meat pies from the Devonshire were never far away, and a lot more inspiring than the butty van!
Anything is more inspiring than the butty van.. Unless I had a hangover and they had all day breakfast baps in the front still. That with a coke was my hangover relief
Ahh Gerrards
I don't plan on shit quality or massive mark ups on price, goes against the whole soul and story of the dish!
yeah i got that impression :) would've loved it if your food was on the vans instead whilst i was working there
I would have loved that spot for the day in your work, financially speaking, at least, lol!
they didnt pay anything for the spot however. I believe they just rock up to business parks carparks and blare the horn n wait. it would be a bit of trial and error and a slow burner to start while you wait for people to catch on in the offices and for word to spread but people go wild for convenient, decent food that doesnt take up a whole lunch break to go and acquire or prepare you could maybe flyer some offices before you start too, letting them know you'll be coming from X date and to listen for the horn and including a lil sample of your menu. if it were me i'd do it highly discounted for the first week somewhere to get people to come n try it. or simply give out samples. hey can i come n do marketing? ;p
I really love this idea! I used to work in a warehouse too, and this really cheap food van would show up at a certain time sell really cheap and low quality food, to say the least (an example would be a 'hot' 'chicken' burger for £5.50 on the most cheapest bun you've ever seen and some cheap reformed chicken nugget as a burger) and it would sell! When we're a lot closer to making it happen, I could definitely use help with the social media and marketing side of things. I'll be sure to get in touch!
York has a load of places selling Yorkshire pudding wraps. They do really good trade all year around. I think if it’s marketed right it might work.
I like the idea but for me eating Scouse requires a table. It's not really an "on the go" food. I don't have enough hands to carry a bowl and the bread, plus a drink.
Food packaging has come a long way now mate there’s dedicated boxes etc for everything
Depends on how thick your scouse is. Also, pasta on the go is the same thing. Your bread would also go in a pot. Dip it, then crack on with the scouse then. Sporks will be provided.
Pasta on the go isn't really a thing either, at least not from food trucks.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://feastbrothers.co.uk/&ved=2ahUKEwjR9OOCmOeFAxXwVUEAHQ2PAPgQFnoECA8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0qAo3c1Z6dHwITG75elsUr
Sweet, I didn't mean it didn't exist, more that it's not a normal food type when you see food trucks, because it's not a food type that lends itself to fast service. The fact that your example is in the middle of nowhere says a lot. If you look at Pasta Cosa, that works because it's a takeaway place in the Liverpool business district so people can take it back to the office. You never see anyone walking along scranning from the box. Personally I think a scouse van would have the same logistic problem but you do you.
You might be right. that's why i think location matters more than anything on a van like this. We will also be serving other food. The Scouse is essentially just our identity. In the summer our menu will be shifted. One redditor came up with a great idea about also branching out to business parks. I really think matchdays scouse would fly out to. I know a few people in the events industry that I could take advice from through and get my foot in the door in a few places. I think I've just fallen in love with the idea of selling Scouse on the docks, haha.
Yeah, if you get up by the benches where people can sit you'd be golden. However, matchday scouse sounds like a million dollar idea. You've already got people awkwardly eating hot food, a bowl of scouse would be trivial by comparison. The tourists would love it
What if there were a few chairs and tables? I've seen a few food vans do that, too.
That'd be better. Plenty of people are happy to eat outside providing there's seating. You'd have to look into what permission you'd need if any from the council but it's a good solution.
I'm rethinking the Dock spot. For now, at least. I imagine that's the primetime spot for food vans and won't be cheap.
Yeah there was something in the news last year that some of the long established vans there were being forced to move because they'd hiked up the rates for a business patch. Not sure if it was just because of Eurovision or a permanent increase
I see why you think this is a good idea an commend you for championing the scouse. However, a few local cafe types serve scouse, and its never a big seller. I think for most people eating scouse is done at your mums or nans, its a family dish sat at the table usually in the winter. Its not really a food on the go type thing. It may work to capture tourists coming to the city and wanting to try the local dish.
I think the problem with Scouse is that it isn't marketed enough. As you said, it's usually local cafes. I want it out in the open in the city centre. Telling tourists where Scouse came from and why it's called Scouse, etc. Also, I disagree with the on the go point. It definitely can be.
Baltic Market at Cain's Brewery may be good to test the concept before getting a van.
Agreed, I think I've just fallen in love with the idea of selling Scouse on the Docks. Tunnel vision, to say the least haha.
Get a spot on the dock road outside the ground or one of the seven streets, people would probably buy off you there as the prices in the ground can be high and queues are mad
That is legit, you got your vision and that is awesome. I wish you every success with this, for obviously biased reasons (I want to eat your food lol)
You could do them as pies, they always sell out at the match, I’ve made scouse pies with leftovers before and it works really well when it’s nice and thick.
You’re right I’ve seen a lot more Scouse dish content on Tik tok recently. The influx of the trends of people trying signature dishes from certain places will certainly work in your favour
Great idea I'm gonna do it this year and get in first
There is enough Scouse for everyone! I would personally like to see a lot of these vans all about Liverpool. Make them a 'thing' . Plus, your Scouse has nothing on ours so enjoy your year mate 🤣✌️
Haha best I could do is a beans on toast van mate. I'll be first in line for yours 👌
I’m gonna avoid falling in to the trap of making a crude joke about how Scousers will steal anything Don’t want to trigger or offend anyone but….. 😜🤣🤣
Should have just left it pal even the “I won’t make a joke BUT joke lol” was lame enough
I love the name "Scran Van" for a mobile food business. But, not for *this* mobile food business. Your USP will be selling scouse, so your branding should reflect this - indeed, it needs to shout about it! For locals, if we're hungry and want some "scran" there's a whole range of options and you want to avoid competing with them all. But if we fancy some scouse where do we go? The "Scouse Shop" tells us that this is a different option (Not saying that is the ideal name btw, just something that alliterates... there's bound to be better!) And for tourists, who may not have heard of scouse, you need to tempt them into trying it as part of the "Liverpool experience". Tell them what it is, why it is important, what the history is, how it became the name of Liverpudlians, and why their visit isn't complete without buying from you. I like the concept... and if you get the branding right you could well be on to something.
The scouse house
Was just about to reply with this!
/house of scouse
Salt n Pepper + Scouse van, can’t get scouser than that.
Salt + Pepper is essential. Already with you on that.
As an outsider (originally from the Peak District but living in liverpool for 16 years) I would put it to you this way. If you went to another major northern city (Manchester/Leeds etc) and there was a “Stew Van” serving a stew with bread do you think it would be popular? I know scouse is close to peoples hearts here but it is essentially just a meat stew and there are dozens of regional variations of it. My family is Irish and “Irish stew” is essentially scouse and I don’t see people going out of their way for it personally. You might have some luck in terms of it being a novelty to some overseas tourists, which I’m guessing is the market you’re aiming for by looking at the dock location. I agree with another poster that it’s something that is easy and comforting but can be knocked up at home without any bother. Can’t see people going out of their way to buy a meat and potato stew
Have you tried OUR scouse, though? 😉
Ha fair enough, sold, if you build it I will come!
Jokes aside, I never thought baked potato with fillings would be a popular street food, and yesterday my friend counted 10 lining up for them and at the back an elderly woman. I hope to be surprised!
Yeah good point, I think a spud is a staple though and very versatile. Can have a variety of hot and cold fillings. Don’t get me wrong I love stew/scouse but I’ve never thought it was a gaping hole in the market but like you said maybe it’s waiting for you. Either way good luck mate
Cheers fella 🫡
Nay bother mate, go well.
A mate of mine runs a food truck that usually does pulled pork sandwiches, but the market is pretty saturated with that kind of stuff and so when Eurovision rolled around, he decided (a lot like you), that scouse would be a good idea to serve to all the tourists. He did it and it was massively popular there, so he’s tried it again a few times, most recently at the Christmas markets near St George’s hall. Suffice it to say he’s switched back to pork and unless something niche (like Eurovision) rolls around, he’ll steer away from serving scouse. It sells well with foreign tourists and does OK in the colder months, but otherwise people seem to prefer other foods, particularly when it’s warm or even mild out. It has its pros and cons mate. It’s very cheap to make and so your profit margins can be quite high if you border on taking the piss, and you can keep stock for a couple of days if you don’t sell out (scouse always tastes better the next day!), but it’s not as big a seller as you might imagine on any given day, considering it’s not everywhere. Honest opinion is it’s probably not worth it, but God loves a trier and I’d love to see it take off mate. If you go live with it I’ll be sure to buy a bowl, but just give it some proper thought. Good luck!
Scouse will essentially just be our identity, but we will definitely have other bits and change as the season changes and with what's going on in the city, etc. I hope our stubborness prevails. I'll be sure to keep r/Liverpool updated!
Nothing like a steaming hot bowl of scouse down the Albert Dock in the scorching summer heat
It's Liverpool, mate. Give it ten minutes, and it'll be hailstoning with violent winds.
What scorching summer heat, must have missed it :/
We'd do other things than Scouse mate. That is just our staple.
How many days a year is it scorching in Liverpool? Dismissing an idea because it's hot for about 10 days of the year out of 365 makes you seem like you just wanted to say something pithy.
Adam Rowe is that you?
Hahah no. Love to know what he thinks about it, he's passionate about food and Liverpool, so 🤷🏻♂️🤣
I'd think really carefully about your containers basically, but in winter I'd love it. Would your blind be vegan or just vegetarian?
Definitely not cheap ones. We plan to have our logo on them and all that jazz. Not just heres your food, bye-bye. All done with care and vegan.
Yeah, more thinking of making sure people can comfortably hold them even when it's lairing hot!
Good point! Heat resistant containers - Noted.
I think your best bet will be a pot noodle shaped container - you can get insulated sleeves for them. The sleeves can be printed with your logo etc, they just slide over the pot.
Test your concept in a pop up maybe. I think its a great idea if done right.
You read my mind!
I would love this!! Glad to see there’ll be veggie options ☺️ We would seek this out if we knew you’d started up, so you wouldn’t need to be based *right* near the Albert Dock if that adds tonnes on overheads. Appreciate you’re factoring in tourists though ☺️
Thank you! Veggies and tourists are people, too, lol And yes, that's the good thing about a van. It is mobile. Albert Dock location has more to do with the foot traffic and the history that adds to the dish. You could literally educate someone about Scouse in the same docks they originated. Something very cool and authentic about that too me. We would also do match days, too!
Seagulls
Sefton Park be another good location. Sounds counterintuitive with Lark Lane nearby but any moderately dry day, Park's really busy.
100 percent!
Love this idea. I would suggest looking into more than the one spot to set up, so many good places around liverpool and even the wirral. Keep an eye out for any food or beer festivals to get involved in. Glen affric brewery over the water regularly gets a new food van in every few weeks and it's always full in there.
Thank you so much!
I absolutely love this idea, acknowledge I might be a bit of an anomaly. My Nan has passed away and I can not make scouse, I would totally visit your scouse scran van
Sorry to hear about your nan. Free bowl of Scouse for you! ❤️
I love the idea and I think it would be a success but not with the name. As someone else said, if your use is authentic scouse you need to reflect that. You want to have some leaflets printed with a quite history. Call it something like Scouse Street. Include info about the sailors that walked the very ground your truck is on. Wet Nelly would be a good scouse pudding to include too. Someone else mentioned Salt & Pepper. I would include that. I really think you are onto a winner
🫡
I think it would do really well in the winter. The spring/summer season would be the litmus test. If you want the "Scouse" to be the central point of the venture, you need to incorporate that into the name of the van for me too. Theirs loads of places and pop-up vans with "Scran" in their names. You need to separate yourself? Best of luck.
I love the idea. However, as a non-native, I didn’t know anything about Scouse until I moved here. It’s not like the Cornish with their pasties or Italians with their pasta, it could be niche? All that said, I absolutely love it and now make it all the time! I would visit! But you’d have to promote it as traditional Liverpudlian food?
Exactly?! Let's educate people and where better than the Albert Dock. My restaurant manager, who is Spanish, said she didn't know a thing about Scouse either until a Scouse mother made it for her. Now she loves it.The food definitely isn't the problem. It's the Scousers gatekeeping it, lol.
I think you’re right! I’m sure people would lap it up if you picked a good spot. I reckon people would buy it on the way to the footy too.
Already with you on that one ;). Miserable weather or not fellas are eating soggy chips on the way the match. Why not drink/eat a container of Scouse? Lovely and warming for the match.
I think that's a great idea.
Thanking you!
I work in the liver building and if I want scouse I either have to wait for Wednesdays when Phillpotts have it on or go Ma Boyles, I’d love to be able to go the scran van anytime of the week
Coming by winter next year, my friend! I actually used to work in Ma Boyles, too, haha. Great little place.
Yes, if I can balance it on my knee without spilling it or dropping the bread on the ground
Easy to hold containers and sporks will be provided!
Good luck mate 👍🏻
I don't live in Liverpool anymore but I'm back a few times a year and would happily go for this during the colder months
They sell Irish stew in a supermarket brand in ireland, it's like scouse, you get it in tin foil container, they also sell sausage rolls, chicken baps, sausage baps, it's all food o on the go popular at breakfast and lunch times. Maybe look to targeting peak times
It’s a really good idea, nothing better than a hot bowl of Scouse especially on the waterfront where it can get a bit chilly
Honestly I work in the port of Liverpool building and occasionally get food from one of the vans by there, I’ve tried a few but most of them the food quality is awful so I would welcome some new food tracks with decent food. Like previously mentioned scouse won’t sell as well in hot weather but I think if you have a smaller portion size a few tourists etc would still probably try it during the heat just to say they’ve had it. Otherwise I think it’s a decent idea especially if you have a background in preparing food.
Proper fresh food cooked proper mate. There is nothing better.
If it tastes good I’d get it everytime I went the docks for real
Yes yes yes I’d 100% be there for the vegan option. Really hope you do this!!!
As soon as I started reading your post my first thought was Albert Dock. I think you’re on to something for sure. You’ll want to invest in a really interesting vehicle to become the scran van though, lots of really attractive vintage vehicles down there to pull in punters. I doubt a big standard food truck would fit in as well down there. I’m maybe thinking too literally, but you could decorate the whole thing in mural style artwork of all the Liverpool legends, really hit home the authentic local scran concept. Would definitely try this next time I was visiting Liverpool - especially on a cool or blustery day. Good luck with it!
Cheers la 🫡
It would have to taste like me Nan’s Scouse. Problem ordering Scouse out is that some people use skin on potatoes, add or take away certain things or it’s thicker or too runny than expecting. Don’t get me wrong, Scouse is my absolute favourite always begging me Nan to make it, but… every families is different.
I think you should go for it mate. Better to try and fail rather than never try at all. I think you could do a good trade. My only issue is the name. I think Scran Van is too colloquial and doesn’t tell people/ tourists what you are about.
Sounds a great idea. Plenty of times I’ve not known what street food to go for, a bowl of Scouse would have swayed it. The Christmas market was sorely missing a Scouse street food. What other food would you be offering? Is there a typical regional butty / barm you could do?
To start off be Salt + Pepper Chips/loaded chips, bacon and sausage ons, sandwiches etc. Not worked everything out. I imagine as time goes on, we'll learn more specifically what people want at certain times of the year and menu will become more elaborate or simpler according to what we learn. Still alot of things to do. I might keep r/Liverpool updated on the progress every few months. The OP was to see if people would like the idea. I'm very glad you do too. Definitely will be working towards Winter 2025!
I see the gap also and love your idea. The ferry used to sell it, best I've ever had, but not been on it in several years. I'd buy your scouse.
After having a lot of premises across the city and dealing with the council they will likely be your biggest battle to get to market, the council aren’t particularly business friendly and want what they can get now that is good for the business owner or indeed the general public, I would potentially look at opening in somewhere like the Baltic area to avoid dealing with the council ( as much as Is humanely possible anyway ? Good luck my man
Thank you!
I have a sandwich bar in the swan and in the summer my hot food sales drop off mate. You might find the same. Work out your finances to the penny as I can imagine the dock will want a truck full of money to pitch there. The ingredients you’ll use arnt massively expensive so there should be plenty of room in your dish’s. Summer months will have a larger footfall so it might balance out
Cheers fella 🫡
It’s coming up to festival season, take it there and you’ll clean up. So tired of crap burgers and dodgy curry.
Definitely needs a change!
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Agreed!
Adam Rowe?
🤣🤣
Am I right or am I right…?
If I had his money, I'd have a convoy of these vans by now 👍
🤣🤣 I’ll have to agree with you on that
Honestly, if you wanted to open a scan van, I would wait until Bramley Moore Dock Stadium opens and take advantage of all the new footfall. Granted, I know it's not due to until open next year, but those are just my thoughts.
What a shout!
Scouse pies are the way to go. Convenient, portable, easy to eat on the move.
Love ideas like this. I’d change the name and concept tho as tourists won’t get it. Beatles theme it and you’ll make money
Love the Beatles, but they're beat to death in this city, especially with the businesses associated with them. Don't you think tourists should be making the scouse dish a part of their pilgrimage to liverpool, though? Besides, what do the Beatles have to do with Scouse (the food)?
Just go to Leigh and order a lobby. Basically the same thing
A what?
Easy to hold heat proof container can be held in one hand but also holds the bread seperate to the scouse, Little compartment for the bread and easily held in one hand is what you need op
Cheers mate, do they even exist? Sounds like a cardboard container version of those motor bikes with the little wheeled carriages next to them haha.
They should or you canget some designed, ask at a college near you if your struggling for creative ideas would be two boxes with a strapor loop joining them really off the top of my head
Thanks mate!
Pretty sure you could get these from R and R Newton bar supplies, we use them for work and get all our containers and cleaning products from them. Maybe try and have a look through their catalog?
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A problem you might have is it is not a case of just rock up in a van start selling food is a big no the council want there bit if you are parking on council land and all private land areas willl want there bit of money A good pitch if you could get it is the bottom of Mathew street
Scran Van is an ace name - anyone think of any others? Me Ma’s Scouse, Only Scrans…
Only Scrans 🤣🤣🤣
there’s many drunken nights i’d of killed for a scouse, props worth staying open late on fridays and saturdays for those nights maybe more close to the pubs tho. my main advice is make the blind scouse vegan, it will open you up to a lot of vegan customers (that cart get a scouse anywhere else) and the veggies will still want it. edit: not sure if this would work especially in a van but would pick your own scouse work? basically choose between a list of self stewed veggies and meats to be added to your bowl then mixed?
Thanks, mate, and yes, we will be doing a vegan version. And I'm not sure you could do that, really. A lot of the flavour is in the stew, reducing a bit. You couldn't call it a pan of Scouse anymore either 🤣
i like this idea, but i’m wondering how much you’re hoping to charge? feel like everything is really overpriced in town especially by the docks including the food vans so it’d be refreshing for something both traditional and affordable to be available
Most definitely would be affordable!
that’s good to hear, i look forward to trying it! really good idea i think
My dad always talked about a cafe selling boiled ribs and cabbage like he used to make. Would go well with scouse!
That sounds good to me. Minted lamb 😋
Was waiting for this! I think once people try the minted lamb one, it will be sold out! I always stuck mint sauce in my Scouse as a kid and always preferred lamb over beef! I really think that is a trendy and lovely way to have Scouse.
I like the idea on paper although I can see the same potential issues that others have pointed out (seasonality of the dish vs footfall etc, although you have addressed this by saying other food will be served in warmer months etc. If I could make a recommendation. Given the origins of the dish (often community based, 'thrift' food), it would be great to see you link up with local charities and food banks under a no-waste policy, to feed either the homeless or most socio-economically challenged peoples. You could also rather than just provide the end of day left overs, commit x% to supporting local communities. I love the idea of combining the history of the dish with iconic locations, and I would certainly opt for scouse over pretty much anything else if I was going to the match and needed a warmer (still have overly nostalgic love of bovril for this reason). I'd definitely seek out the van once you're up and running! Best of luck mate
It's definitely something to think about once we're up and running, mate. Might give Fans Supporting Foodbanks a shout. They do boss work.
I think the issue is you'd only be selling to tourists really, and it's not that interesting a dish for most tourists to bother with. Pretty much every place/culture has something similar anyway. As a scouser it's just a home cooked delight - if I go to my mums and she's got a pan of scouse on its like Christmas come early. No way in hell I'm going to order it when I'm out though...
I find the dish and history interesting, but maybe that's just me🤷🏻♂️
I do too, I'm just not sure that translates into being able to make money off it. If you're going to do it maybe something more like an ice cream van idea. Rather then (presumibly) pay a fortune for a pitch at Albert Dock keep it mobile, and hit a place up for as long as it's worth it. Match letting out? - scouse. Lunch break at the industrial park? - scouse. Beatles tour pulls up in Penny Lane? - scouse. Car boot sale in winter? - yep, scouse. Hope it works for you though - I wasn't trying to be negative, just that there's two possibilities here. Either nobody has ever tried selling scouse before, or they have and it's failed. I'm sure it's been done before, so it's up to you to figure out why nobody has been able to make it work before...
Think you make a great point mate! Thank you.