Food van owner celebrates 21 years in same spot

Joanne Potter has been operating Banjoes for 21 years from a DIY store car park in Ferry Lane, Hull

The owner of a fast food van is celebrating selling burgers in the same spot for 21 years.

Joanne Potter has been running Banjoes out of ta DIY store car park in Ferry Lane, Hull, since 17 February 2003.

Previously, she worked as a stewardess with British Airways.

The 50-year-old said she re-evaluated her career after the 9/11 terror attacks and moved to Hull with her then husband in 2002.

No stranger to a burger van with her dad, brother and sister each owning one, she did the same and has not looked back.

“I worked on my dad’s van on a Saturday when I was 19 while at college,” said Ms Potter.

Joanne Potter in her British Airways uniform before swapping flying for frying

“He still has his and he is 74. He asked me if I wanted my own when I left British Airways and I decided to do it for a year but here I am still doing it.

"I love it and love the people of Hull.”

Having swapped flying for frying, Joanne has battled through a recession and Covid-19 and has three members of staff.

What next?

She is open 363 days a year, only closing on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.

One customer waiting in the queue when the BBC visited Ms Potter's van said: “I have gone past six or seven different cafes to get to this one.”

Another customer added: “I often come here for a burger and it is spot on as always.”

So what next?

Such is Ms Potter's love for the business and customers, only something special would make her give it up now.

She added: “People keep asking me would I ever sell it or do something else and I always say the same - only if I won the lottery. It would have to be a big win at that.”

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