TWO food vendors have emerged victorious to claim vacant burger van spots in Oxford.

Five businesses made their pitches to Oxford City Council's general purposes licensing subcommittee last Monday to explain why they should be awarded one of the two late night street trading spots outside Christ Church on St Aldates, and on the High.

But only two have won the coveted pitches: a van offering Latin American cuisine, and another offering healthy snacks and takeaway food.

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Philip Fulcher, who runs a business called Street Snack Oxford with his business partner Osajie Oboh will be awarded the vacant spot outside Christ Church College on St Aldates.

His van will sell healthy Mexican-style food was based around his experience of fitness.

At the meeting he said he hoped to employ between two and four people in his van.

Oxford Mail:

A design drawing of Phil Fulcher's van. Picture: via Oxford City Council.

Sonia Cortez Mercado, trading as Gores Van, will be selling Latin American food in the same style as she grew up eating in Colombia.

This will include empanadas and fried plantain.

Mrs Mercado addressed the committee alongside her husband, who has nine years experience working as a pizza chef.

Oxford Mail:

Sonia Cortez Mercado and her partner will open a food van selling Latin American cuisine. Picture: Oxford Mail.

The committee deferred its decision because they wanted to consider each application carefully.

As the different vendors left the room at the end of the meeting, chairman Colin Cook said he and the other committee members had a 'difficult task' because all of the applicants were suitable.

Minutes for the licensing meeting released after the decision was made also said the quality of applications was high and explained why Mr Fulcher and Mrs Mercado had bee selected.

It said that Mr Fulcher's application was thorough, while Mrs Mercado was offering 'significantly different fare from that currently available'.

Oxford Mail:

Committee chair Colin Cook.

While Mr Fulcher and Mrs Mercado were awarded the two vacant pitches, three others who competed for the spots walked away unsuccessful.

READ AGAIN about their pitches to sell food in Oxford here

These were Karen Odulate, Mohammed Mahmood, and Jane Bridgman.

Ms Odulate had wanted to sell a Dutch version of fish and chips called Kibbeling which was lighter than the British style.

Mr Mahmood had planned to sell a range of food including sausage rolls, but wanted to make sure he was also catering for vegans with his menu.

Meanwhile, Ms Bridgman, trading as Racing Camel Gourmet, had planned to offer a range of world foods, including Iraqi flatbread-based pizzas.

At the licensing meeting last week, each of the vendors were asked about their experience of working with food, as well as their ability to deal with rowdy customers during the early hours of the morning.

The two pitches are open between 6.30pm and 3am.

Due to the current state of lockdown introduced by the British government in response to the coronavirus, it is unsure when the two vendors will be able to take up their newly granted licences.

All businesses except essential food and medicine sellers are currently closed to the public.