Bristol Eating Better: Little Grey Horsebox

In the second of a new series spotlighting Bristol Eating Better Award holders, Nicola Deschamps (pictured left) shines a light on Bristol Eating Better Silver holder, Little Grey Horsebox. If you run a food business in Bristol, find out how to sign up for certification.

Decorated with fairy lights and fresh flowers, The Little Grey Horsebox is a mobile café with a difference – it’s a converted horse trailer! Customers can enjoy coffee, with or without a swirl of syrup, traditional tea, herbal tea and hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows as optional extras, as well as a selection of handmade cakes. During the summertime, iced tea and coffee are welcome additions to the menu.  

Owner and manager Lulu Gunnery-Hall opened the business in April 2024. Turning 50 marked a turning point for Lulu, who had always aspired to own a business, be her own boss and find a job she loved that worked around her family life. She took the plunge and doesn’t regret her decision despite the hard work, cold winter weather and the financial challenges that come with starting a new business.  

Providing a personal touch is fundamental to Lulu’s business approach, favouring smaller venues where she can connect with her customers. To support this, she has secured a regular pitch at Abbey Grounds Park, Cirencester and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between 10am and 5pm. She has many regulars who enjoy a drink and a chat. 

Lulu’s coffee is sourced from the family-run, Bristol-based coffee and tea supplier Bristol Twenty, which donates a percentage of its sales to charity. From the cups and lids to the spoons and sleeves, the drink packaging used by The Little Grey Horsebox is sustainable, as it is compostable and biodegradable. Cakehead supplies the business with both traditional cakes and new bakes, including gluten-free and vegan options.  

Lulu’s commitment to ethical practice led to her winning the Bristol Eating Better Silver Award just months after opening her business. Key to her win was using environmentally friendly equipment, supporting local suppliers and offering healthier alternatives to fast food, including food and drink options free of artificial sweeteners, flavours and additives. The award holds pride of place in the trailer, and for Lulu, it represents her values and commitment to her customers, the environment and the community. It has also proven to be a great conversation starter!  

The Bristol Eating Better Award (BEBA) initiative celebrates local businesses, including schools and early childhood caterers, that are committed to offering healthier food choices and promoting food and environmental sustainability. As more consumers seek healthier and more sustainable food options, The Bristol Eating Better Business Award proudly recognises a variety of food businesses, including restaurants, cafés, takeaways, market stalls and adult social care settings. 

Moving forward, Lulu hopes to bring The Little Grey Horsebox to the Bristol Harbour Festival, which will take place from 18–20 July 2025. In addition to this event, she plans to serve refreshments at various community gatherings, including school, charity and business events, providing a unique and enjoyable experience for her customers. For more information on The Little Grey Horsebox, contact thelittlegreyhorsebox23@gmail.com. 

If you are involved in a food business, find out more information about how to sign up for an award and how other companies have benefited, at the Bristol Eating Better Award website.

Read Nicola’s profile of Momo Bar in St Nicholas Market.

To stay updated on future events, job opportunities and news, don’t forget to sign up for the Bristol Good Food Update at bristolgoodfood.org/newsletter. 

Nicola Deschamps is a registered nutritionist, author, and editor: targeteditorial.co.uk.