Ipswich: Queues for Hot Sausage Company hot dog giveaway

The Hot Sausage Company - a popular takeaway stall on the Cornhill - gave away free hotdogs on Tuesday in a bid to "give something back to customers". 

Andrew Bavington-Barber and the team of the Hot Sausage Company on the giveaway day. Picture Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The team had an early start getting ready to giveaway 1,000 hot dogs in the town centre today. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Andrew Bavington-Barber, who owns the company, said he "wanted to do something positive for Ipswich" and give people a reason to come back to the high street. 

"This is great for the town centre," said Kevin Goldsmith - who joined the queue at around 10am with his son Alfie. 

"I've been a customer here for a long time.

Kevin Goldsmith (right) and his son Alfie. Credit: William Warnes (Image: William Warnes)

The giveaway proved a hit with customers. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"Hopefully initiatives like this will increase footfall and draw customers back to the high street."

Also in the queue were John and Jennifer Newitt. 

"Things like this should be happening all the time," they said. 

"We need to get people interested in coming back to the town centre.

"It's an opportunity to inject more life and footfall into the high street."

John (left) and Jennifer (right) Newitt. Credit: William Warnes (Image: William Warnes)

Andrew Bavington-Barber by the queue for free hotdogs in Ipswich town centre. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Mr Bavington-Barber, who has sold more than a million hot dogs in his time, said he was "so excited" in the run-up to the event.

"We just wanted to do something positive and find a way to thank all of our amazing customers.

"I suppose it's something a little bit different for people to do.

"And it's great fun for us."

People were queuing on the Cornhill from mid-morning. Credit: William Warnes (Image: William Warnes)

Jonathan and Louie Elsum joined the queue mid-morning and only waited a couple of minutes before they had made it to the front.

"This whole initiative is very generous," they said.

"And the town has become very quiet recently, so ideas like this are brilliant.

1,000 free hot dogs were given away on Wednesday. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Jonathan (left) and Louie (right) Elsum. Credit: William Warnes (Image: William Warnes)

"It's so important to generate more interest in the high street.

"It's what Ipswich needs."