£1m Scratchcard Winners Launch Fish and Chips Business

Winning a huge scratchcard prize can change your life. Andrew and Paula Hancock from Broughton in Nottinghamshire, England, started a fish and chips business thanks to their £1 million win in July 2019.

All thanks to Shortcake

Cats love fish and it was their own pet that helped them win their £1 million prize. They had forgotten to buy their cat Shortcake something for dinner. The couple went to a local petrol station to buy some feline treats and while there, bought a Monopoly Millionaire scratchcard.

Rather than a fish and chips shop, the couple bought a mobile van. They’d seen how local pubs and shops had closed in recent years. Andrew, 49, felt this had “an effect upon the community - a loss of a meeting place.” He hopes their new business can help change that.

The couple have had a catering business in the past but had to sell it. Andrew explained that he had been “itching to get back into  the industry” ever since and thanks to their scratchcard win, that’s just what has happened. They’ve even been able to re-employ some of their previous staff.

Anyone for squid?

It won’t just be the usual menu of cod, haddock and plaice. They’ll also be serving squid and oysters. Already their new business venture has been a huge success. Paula, 46, said that they have had “queues around corners” and even ran out of cod on one occasion.

Their mobile business allows them to go to local villages. One resident said the fish and chips van was “the best thing to happen to the village in over 20 years.” It allows customers to be chatting to each other while they wait to be served.

The scratchcard winners began a soft launch of their business Loxley Catering at the Broadleaves care home in Broughton. Their customers loved the food and not just because it was free on that occasion.

For Andrew it was an example of how he believes “food brings people together.” Now they are looking to enjoy huge success and help the community at the same time.

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