Food van accused of paying kids to eat huge burgers

BURGER van that has amassed a large following on social media for its food videos is alleged to have paid children £100 to consume a 10-stack burger, according to claims made at a recent council meeting.

- TWM OWEN AND JONATHON HILL

The allegation was made at a licensing hearing this week, where councillors granted a premises licence for Monmouthshire burger van Only Foods and Sauces to show films, sell alcohol and provide entertainment.

The small business operates from an industrial estate in Bulwark in Chepstow, where it sells burgers and ice creams, and has already been hosting events and serving alcohol for some time, to the dismay of some locals.

Monmouthshire County Council received 38 objections to the application, mostly centred around noise from the van, which has taken off thanks to a social media craze.

During the licensing hearing, Councillor Sue Riley, representing objectors in her Bulwark and Thornwell ward, raised concerns about how the van allegedly operates.

She said: “I'm told there was a trading day where anybody could trade in any item to get a free burger, and one resident's son and his friends were paid £100 to eat a 10-stack of burgers.”

Cllr Riley further claimed higher-value items were taken from homes for the event and that even traffic cones had been exchanged for burgers.

The Labour councillor also expressed concern about young people being filmed eating a stack of burgers with the footage posted on social media to get views, stating: “As a social worker, I do have some concerns about these things.”

Committee chairman Tudor Thomas reminded those at the meeting the application determination was not about whether children had been paid to eat big burgers or not.

He said: “They key point today is are we going to grant a licence for the consumption of alcohol?

“Any accusations potentially relating to criminal activity would be a police issue, and Gwent Police haven’t raised any particular issue before today.”