LIVE: Huge turnout in Commercial Road as Spud Man visits the Jacket Potato Lady following SpudBros controversy
There were huge queues in the city centre this morning as crowds flocked to get a glimpse of TikTok sensation, Spud Man, who is visiting an independent business to show his support amidst Portsmouth’s ‘jacket potato war’.
With more than four million followers on TikTok, Spud Man has made the trip from Tamworth to Portsmouth to show his support for the Jacket Potato Lady following the news of a SpudBros franchise opening on January 27.
It sparked a mixed reaction in the city, with many people taking to social media to show their support for the Commercial Road trailer which has been a staple in the city since the 90s - with Vicky Penford taking over a few years back.
Ryan Goddard, from Waterlooville, was was of the first people in the line and said his creamy garlic chicken BBQ pulled jacket potato “was well worth” the three hour wait having arrived in the city centre at 7.30am.
The 17-year-old said: “I was second in the queue - it is absolutely lovely, absolutely worth the wait.
“Support your local jacket potato places guys, the spud lady is absolutely brilliant, well worth the wait - absolutely amazing.”
In recent months, Vicky has been faced with countless trials and tribulations, both in her work and personal life and has been blown away by the support this week. Vicky has said she is feeling a mix of emotions at the amount of people that have stood in line waiting following concerns surrounding the new Portsmouth Express.
She said: “I put it out there last Tuesday to say ‘don’t forget me’ and Ben was going to come down anyway at some point, so we just moved it forward a little bit.
“I’m super excited Ben’s here, Little Spud’s here, Smokey Mose is here and half of Portsmouth has come out to show their support - It’s absolutely amazing so thank you.
“I feel nervous, excited. It’s great isn’t it? It’s mad.”
Spud Man said that he was more than happy to show Vicky his support. He said: “She’s the first person I ever gave a shout out to on TikTok when we were blowing up so I’ve known her for about four years now - she’s lovely.
“Everyone is lovely. It looks like a nice town with nice people and that’s what it’s all about and the community has come out for her which is what it’s about.”
Meanwhile SpudBros has expressed its excitement about open a new franchise in the city centre, which will be run by a local entrepreneur who showed interest in opening a site at the end of last year. They will welcome SpudBros Jacob and Harley Nelson to celebrate its opening day.
SpudBros previously took to social media saying: “SpudBros Express is coming to Portsmouth.
“This one’s special. The Portsmouth Express is owned by a local entrepreneur from the city who loved what we built in Preston and wanted to bring that same energy back home.
“The goal? To give something back to Portsmouth.
“We’re hoping it creates a real buzz, brings more people into the city, and supports the wider food scene too, including other local potato sellers. There’s always a choice, and there’s more than enough room for everyone.”
Despite the news receiving mixed reactions, a considerable fan base is looking forward to welcoming the new venue, with one reader saying: “There is room for everyone. SpudBros hit social media so good and made the most of it.”
Another said: “Healthy competition is good for the consumer.”
In anticipation of the launch of SpudBros Express, the brothers will be visiting Spudlickers in Leigh Park on January 26.
Spudlickers, which opened after being inspired by the work Harley and Jacob do, wrote on social media saying: “This is good news for us as a business as we started our business inspired by the brothers.
“It’s fantastic opportunity for us - There are enough customers and support for everyone.”