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Spud Bros plan expansion to cash in on Tiktok fame

Paul Faulkner
Local Democracy Reporting Service
BBC The brothers - both with short dark hair and short beards - stand in front of the serving hatch of the tram carriage where they sell the potatoes. Both are wearing hoodies and two people are in the background preparing the spuds.BBC
Spud Bros currently operates from an old tram carriage in Preston's Flag Market

Tiktok stars the Spud Bros are planning a major expansion of their jacket potato empire.

Jacob and Harley Nelson currently sell spuds from an old tram in Preston city centre, but now they want to replace the traditional vehicle with a unit the size of two shipping containers.

If their plans are approved by Preston City Council, the business would occupy the same spot in the middle of the Flag Market.

Jacob, 29, and 22-year-old Harley went viral on social media last year after posting videos of themselves at work. They have now amassed more than four million followers.

Studio John Bridge Artist's impression of the proposed new premises, showing a side view with a large mural depicting Preston's history in red, white, blue and sepia. Illustrations include a horse and cart, a Proud Preston sign and a man dishing up parched peas.Studio John Bridge
If approved, the 8ft by 20ft (2.4m x 6m) containers would form a single unit

According to their planning application, the new premises would retain an "old Preston tram-style quality, featuring overhanging fascias and local art".

A separate kitchen and serving area would be created to enable "safer and more efficient food preparation".

It is anticipated the revamp could lead to the creation of six new jobs.

The unit would also feature space for a podcasting booth "to attract local and international celebrities to take part in Preston's famous Spud Bros food and share their experiences".

For their ambitions to be realised, however, the brothers must persuade council planners that their proposals are suitable for the Market Place Conservation Area.

The site is directly in front of the Grade I-listed Harris Museum and just yards from the city's Cenotaph.

Sessions House and the former main post office – both Grade II-listed – are also nearby.

The brothers' application included plans for a mural by local artist Shawn Sharpe.

The section which would overlook the Cenotaph would have a "remembrance theme", according to the application, while the overall design is intended to "compliment and blend in to the character of the site" and reflect its history.

The brothers are initially seeking temporary planning permission for a period of five years, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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