Earlier this month, Alderman Darren Alexander expressed his concern that food vans had an “unfair advantage” over established businesses in area, due to their minimal running costs.

Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose said the benefits of the vans to the area outweighed their detriment.

“Under the right circumstances, food vans can add further diversity to the hospitality offering in Launceston,” he said.

“Rather than seeing food vans as a threat to existing business, the Chamber views them as important business incubators, allowing entrepreneurs to develop and thrive, attracting new customers into the city for all businesses to benefit from.”

High Street was given the nickname ‘Eat Street’ due to the food vans which regularly line the block by St Georges Square, offering everything from black angus beef burgers to vegan quinoa tabbouleh.

Mr Grose said the vans could have a similarly positive impact on the CBD.

“Launceston has one of the highest start-up rates of new businesses in Australia and the Chamber wants to see more entrepreneurs make their mark in Launceston,” he said.

“While the Chamber wouldn’t like to see an open-slather approach, there is a role in a vibrant CBD for food vans with the appropriate regulation and in the right circumstances.”