We’ve seen people using early VW buses to sell fresh coffee, but cooking and serving lobster rolls? Well, you better believe it because that’s precisely what’s been occurring down at Borough market in London, courtesy of an outfit called Bob’s Lobster.

Yes, that’s right. The ’57 bus has been specially converted with a custom made kitchen inside to prepare the lobsters and a huge hinge up roof section which is used to display the menu. There’s even a specially designed shelf on the side of the bus on which the scrummy lobster snacks are served.

As you can imagine, the bus has gone down a storm with the hungry inhabitants of Borough and the surrounding London area with customers coming from all over to drool over the vehicle itself and taste the fishy delights on offer.

The split bus actually started off as a panel van, with all the restoration work, the hinged roof and ultra clever shelf arrangement on the side undertaken by The Carrosserie Company in Darlington.

The firm’s Steve Layton explained how it all happened: “We were supplied with a panel van and came to VW Heritage to get the chrome windows, initially, through which the rolls would be sold. However, we soon discovered it needed a lot more in the way of restoration parts, and it went from there.”

Added Steve: “We spoke to VW Heritage on a daily basis, which is where we got 80 per cent of the parts. For the items we couldn’t buy, VW Heritage helped source a supplier. If it hadn’t been for the guys there, the whole thing would never have happened. They project managed the build throughout.”

Despite looking reasonably sound visually, the early splittie underwent a total restoration before the Carrosserie Company could start work on the ingenious hinging roof section. Said Steve: “It was absolutely jiggered so we had it dipped to take it back to bare metal. We ordered new floors, chassis riggers, side panels – basically everything from VW Heritage. We also fitted the VW Heritage ‘bling kit’ which is fabulous and makes the van look virtually brand new.”

The roof, which opens vertically to enable a menu to be displayed, features special hydraulic rams, with a barn door handle used to operate it. The Darlington firm also designed the shelf that runs the full length of the vehicle so that it can be dismantled into three sections – it hooks onto the drip rail at the top and the jacking points at the bottom, all very clever and simple. Meanwhile, the engine and gearbox were put on a test-bed to be checked and given the okay before being refitted with a new clutch.

The custom kitchen was installed by a company in Northampton and instead of fitting a trim kit inside, Steve decided to fit a chequer plate floor which seemed more suitable for an area where food was being prepared. “The great thing is that from the outside when it’s all shut up it looks like any normal camper,” adds Steve.

The next time you’re in Borough market, have a look out for the van. If it’s lunchtime, I sure will!

Ian