Jacket potatoes in the spotlight once more as SpudBros visits Spudlickers in Havant ahead of new franchise opening

Customers flocked to Spudlickers, in Greywell Shopping Centre, Leigh Park, this morning (January 26) to get their hands on 100 free jacket potatoes as part of an exciting visit from SpudBros.

SpudBros’ journey started in 1955, when a hot-potato cart first opened on Preston’s Flag Market. Decades on and brothers Jacob and Harley Nelson have transformed the family tradition into one of the UK’s most recognisable food brands, boasting more than 4.8 million followers on TikTok.

The brothers started expanding and opening franchises back in 2024 where it has already established successful locations in London, Blackburn, Liverpool, Sheffield and Wakefield.

Family run spud shop, Spudlickers, opened its doors after being inspired by Jacob and Harley’s success and the team have said they are over the moon to welcome the duo.

Macey, co-owner of Spudlickers, said: “We are a small little business run by us as a family here in Leigh Park. It started off as a night in the back garden where we were watching SpudMan and SpudBros and that’s where it came from.”

Harry, Macey’s husband, said: “We’ve had a lot of support from the locals. When we first opened we were a little bit shocked at how well it was doing and how far it has gone, and how far we had customers travelling.

“For us personally, for SpudBros to reach out and come and support the shop and see us, we are over the moon, it means the world to us.

“We based this business on what the SpudBros and other spud shops have done so for them to come here means the world. If it wasn’t for them and what they are doing on social media, maybe spuds wouldn’t be as big as they are and people wouldn’t have that sort of exposure to it.”

One dedicated customer, 12-year-old George Cope patiently waited outside Spudlickers since 5.30am in a bid to not only meet the SpudBros, but also get his hands on the first free jacket potato.

He said: “I just really wanted to meet them which I was able to do, got some food and waited.

“I wanted to come down so I got up, got on my bike and came here - I’m really excited. I got a picture and a signed t-shirt.”

The brothers are also in town in anticipation of a new SpudBros Express franchise launching in Commercial Road tomorrow (January 27), with local entrepreneur, Sunny Bassi, at the helm of the new site.

Sunny previously said: “What Jacob and Harley have built with SpudBros in Preston really inspired me, and I reached out because I wanted to bring that same energy, pride and community spirit to Portsmouth.

“The franchise model empowers local people to build something meaningful in their own city, and from day one we’re focused on supporting the local economy, creating real opportunities for local workers, and working alongside other local businesses so everyone benefits.

“SpudBros has shown what’s possible when local people are backed properly, and we’re proud to be continuing that here in Portsmouth.”

The new SpudBros Express will open from 12noon until 8pm with a further 100 free jacket potatoes being given out by Harley, Jacob and the team.