My Burger Barrow Nightmare

Being a hot dog vendor at football games was a dangerous gig

D’you want road chippings with that? (Image by DuckaHouse from Pixabay)

Over the years, I ‘ve been in a number of jobs that had an element of danger about them. I worked for several roofing firms in an age when health and safety regulations were not as stringent as they are today (I never once even wore a hard hat), and I spent a few months doing the night shift alone in a 24-hour filling station in an area of high crime. I’ve operated high-speed machinery in factories, and I’ve driven various vans to make deliveries on our treacherous roads.

But right up there with those is the time I worked selling hot dogs, from a small van and later with my own barrow outside St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United Football Club.

Sophisticated Logo

I got into this line of work when a friend from a neighbouring estate asked me to accompany him when he took his hot dog van to a local social club. I was bored sitting in the house, so I went along just for something to do; I received no wages.

He worked for a firm, on commission, and his mobile stall was a converted mini van with a fibreglass shell fixed to the back that was just big enough to stand up in. There was a serving hatch, and three stainless steel pans, one each for the hot dogs, beefburgers and onions. A lot…