Anyone who has ever tried to enjoy an ice cream or a slice of pizza on the beach has probably had a run-in with pesky seagulls. The infamous seabirds can be found all over the world, as they breed on every continent, including parts of Antarctica.
But the owners of a food truck across the pond have found a creative way to “insure” themselves against birds stealing from their customers.
Hawkins BBQ, a food truck operating on the Isle of Man, a self-governing British Crown Dependency between Great Britain and Ireland, has recently started offering its customers “seagull insurance.” The small business, which offers barbecued dishes such as sliders, gourmet melts and loaded fries, recently posted its new policy on Facebook.
And given the positive response, it seems that people are completely convinced.
“I think it’s fair to say that many on the island have had one (traumatic) experience or another with the island’s enthusiastic seagulls – whether they’ve been mugged while strolling down Strand Street or attacked while eating ice cream or gelato, we may have something for you!” reads the policy, published last week.
“Introducing the island’s first Manx Seagull Insurance! We’ve seen the idea become so successful recently that we’ve decided it’s a must for foodies here!” the post continued, noting that customers will now be able to purchase the add-on for just £1, guaranteeing a replacement meal on the house.
The owners also stated that they would donate all proceeds from the insurance to the Manx Wildlife Trust, a conservation charity that “works tirelessly to protect the island’s wildlife, including those pesky seagulls.”
“Be sure to ask us about protection on your next visit and enjoy a delicious BBQ meal stress-free,” the post concludes.
Matt Hawkins, chef and co-owner of Hawkins BBQ, explained in an interview with Fox News that seagulls are protected animals in the UK. However, because there are so many of these birds, they have become aggressive when it comes to eating carrion – or, as the case may be, stealing from people.
“We saw the idea in Scotland and introducing ‘insurance’ to our customers on the Isle of Man was a no-brainer,” said Hawkins. “We wanted to give our guests a good feeling when they enjoy our meals.”
“The public response so far has been fantastic,” he added.
