Jacket potatoes are the controversial topic of conversation once again following the announcement that a SpudBros franchise is getting ready to open in the city centre this month.

TikTok sensation, SpudBros, which has accumulated 4.8m followers since its social media debut in 2023, has announced the launch of its latest franchise - The Portsmouth Express - on January 27.

Jacket Potato Lady, Vicky Penford, has shared her opinion about the new SpudBros franchise which will open at the end of this month.

Pictured: Vicky Penford in Commercial Road, Portsmouth.

Picture: Habibur Rahman — Jacket Potato Lady, Vicky Penford, has shared her opinion about the new SpudBros franchise which will open at the end of this month. Pictured: Vicky Penford in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. Picture: Habibur Rahman | Habibur Rahman

placeholder image — Jacket Potato Lady, Vicky Penford, has shared her opinion about the new SpudBros franchise which will open at the end of this month. Pictured: Vicky Penford in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. Picture: Habibur Rahman | Habibur Rahman

SpudBros, which is run by brothers Jacob and Harley Nelson, 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.”

The news comes following a controversial trademark dispute with Spud Fusion, in Goldsmith Avenue, last September after the business had to change its original name due to SpudBros owning multiple potato-related trademarks.

And with the new franchise opening in the city centre, SpudBros has come under further scrutiny due to the site’s close proximity to the Jacket Potato Ladies trailer in Commercial Road.

Established in the city in 1990, the spud business, which is now run by Vicky Penford, has said it has been inundated with support from locals since the social media announcement.

Vicky said: “I found out September time that they were going to open a franchise here. As you can imagine - 36 years, I thought this little tiny trailor compared to the big social media following they’ve got - I just thought we were going to be wiped out of Commercial Road, so I am pretty gutted but I went on social media and told people and the community of Portsmouth has just got behind me 100 per cent. When they open, will they still back me? I hope so.

“It’s bound to have an impact isn’t it? It’s bound to but it just gives me this funny feeling - I don’t want to let anyone down. I feel like I’m letting Karen (the former owner) down by letting that take over but everyone is out to earn a living and good luck to whoever has bought the franchise.”

SpudBros has been contacted for a comment.