Smash hit or small fry? Northants entrepreneur hoping for success with new '˜potato by post' business

Lewis Bezzina, from Wellingborough, came up with the unusual concept to send spuds as an alternative to cards after reading about a similar start-up in America that proved to be very successful.

The 41-year-old, who also runs an online photo editing business, says he sources the Maris Piper potatoes locally and uses a marker pen to write on the messages.

Customers can order a small spud, with space for 20 letters, for £5.99, a medium spud, with space for 40 letters, for £6.99 and a large spud, with space for 60 letters, for £7.99.

Mr Bezzina, whose website offers a ‘100 per cent hilarious guarantee’, said: “Sending a generic card on special occasions such as birthdays is getting pretty boring.

“People are happy to receive them but let’s face it - the cards are forgotten almost instantly.

“Now if that same person was to open a package and find that message plastered across a potato - it’s instantly funny and also memorable.

“And if the sender decides to remain anonymous there’s all sorts of fun they can have. We have had some very funny messages and love it when customers try to get in as many potato puns as possible.”

Mr Bezzina, whose sister helps him run the business from Moulton, said he has enjoyed some success across the UK but has not had any orders from the Northants area yet.

He said: “People generally use the service to send wishes such as a birthday, anniversary or good luck message. People also like to send anonymous joke messages to friends and family and leave them guessing who on earth has just sent them a message on a potato through the post.”

Potato by Post customers are offered the opportunity to send their spud by first (one to three business days) or second class (three to five days).

It is not recommended that the potato be eaten after it has been through the postal system.

For more information go to www.potatobypost.com