Teenager, 18, to open The Spud House in Darwen in May

Holly Shorrocks, 18, is set to open The Spud House in Duckworth Street next month.

She will run the food business alongside mum, Clare Shorrocks.

It will serve jacket potatoes with various toppings, including healthy options and indulgent choices.

Clare and Holly Shorrocks (Image: Clare Shorrocks)

Holly, who left her job at Astley Bank Hotel to open the business, said she has always dreamed of running her own business.

She said: “I have always wanted to run my business and I love cooking.

“I am so excited to get going – I love food and I love meeting new people.”

Holly said her mum inspired her to take the plunge and open the business, after coming home from work one night feeling “fed up” and feeling like a change of careers was necessary.

A jacket potato (Image: Clare Shorrocks)

She said: “I came home one day from work and I was so fed up - I was just having one of those days. I was chatting to Mum when she put this idea forward.

“We were like one big family in the hotel so it’s quite upsetting to leave, but its only upwards from here."

Clare said: “I used to have a café she always used to be there helping me out.

"I think it has always been a bit of a dream of hers to run her own business and have her own food place.

“She is her own independent woman.”

Clare said she had been discussing the ‘TikTok famous’ Spud Man, whose channel has 3.3 million followers and has amassed more than 65 million likes.

Preston-based ‘TikTok famous’ Spud Brothers have also achieved social media success. The channel has 1.3 million followers and has amassed more than 33 million likes.

Both post videos of their jacket potatoes being cooked and served to customers.

While The Spud House is not aiming for TikTok fame or the same level of ‘sensationalism’, it does show the power a humble potato business can have.

Clare said: “We are co-working together but we are not aiming for the same sensationalism as TikTok stars.

“I love Spud Man but Holly wanted to make a business along those lines but a lot more wholesome  – with some healthy options.”

The Spud House in Darwen (Image: Clare Shorrocks)

As well as your classic toppings, such as cheese and beans, the business will also be serving unique toppings.

For example, The American is inspired by smashed burgers and will be topped with buffalo sauce, cheese, beef, and bacon.

Holly said: “Everything will be homemade, using fresh ingredients. The full menu will be coming soon! We will also have permanent specials.”

Clare said: “We will have your old favourite toppings but will also have special items on the menu – we want to offer something a bit different.

“I remember the spud man in Blackburn who used to sell bags of new potatoes from his cart so we want to sell those too.

“We just want to bring something a little bit different to Darwen.”