Tri-Service

7,000 Sign Petition To Keep Catering Van On Army Base

More than 7,000 people have signed a petition calling for a much-loved catering van to be allowed to continue trading at a British Army barracks.

The owner of Katie’s Kitchen, Linda Clark, told Forces TV it was a “life-changing” moment when she was given her notice to cease trading on Larkhill Barracks.

The mobile caterer had been serving food around the barracks for 27 years and described the moment she received the letter telling her to stop trading on the base:

“I couldn’t quite believe it. Having seen it then in black and white I thought this is definite now. It’s upsetting and life-changing really. That’s the end of the business really.”

The move was made by the catering firm Sodexo, which has a contract with the army, after they decided they wanted to use their own mobile van to serve the troops.

Linda said she had been told by the company she could carry on trading when Sodexo first took over the catering contract on the base.

However, that changed after Sodexo bought their own mobile service to compete with Katie’s Kitchen.

Linda said:

“There was no forewarning. Their van just turned up and I thought oh well if that’s what they want to do it’s up to the guys and girls who they want to buy from and that’s fine, it’s fair competition, but to be ousted because of that just doesn’t seem right.”

She says she may be forced to “look for another job.”

The petition to save Linda's business, set up by Daniel McNeil, has reached more than 7,000 signatures.

Danny, a former soldier with the Royal Artillery used to be based at Larkhill Barracks, he said:

“I’m really disappointed about it. The fact she’s served the army and the soldiers for 27 years, her food quality is absolutely amazing. She’s just a pure factor of morale for the soldiers.”

“You phone her up she turns up on the spot and the boost of morale for the soldiers, we’re always happy to see her and she’s always happy to help us and it’s a shame that’s going to be gone now.”

“So many soldiers have voiced their concerns and their views about it and it seems like they’ve been disregarded.”

A Sodexo spokesperson said: "The notice served on Katie’s Kitchen only affects the service they provide within Larkhill barracks and has no direct impact on the service they provide on the ranges and other locations outside of the barracks.”

"Sodexo has introduced a new mobile service within Larkhill which offers service personnel and civilians at the barracks an extended range of hot and cold food and drinks as well as a selection of snacks and confectionery."