Rebecca recently joined us in 2024 as a Senior Content Writer and has experience researching and creating multimedia content. With a keen interest in current and emerging industry affairs, Rebecca responds through a critical lens and, by promoting thought and discussion, aims to increase awareness of UKGI’s work.
Sandwich shop to offer 'seagull insurance' to customers robbed of toasties

A popular sandwich shop in St Andrews, ‘The Cheesy Toast Stack’ is offering an innovative countermeasure which offers protection for consumers against theft by seagulls. The shop has introduced ‘seagull insurance’, allowing customers to pay £1 for 'coverage' which allows them to claim a free replacement in the event of a seagull-strike.
Kate Carter-Larg, the founder of The Cheesy Toast Stack, reported that the ubiquity of local seagulls, and their growing boldness, had become a challenge for the business as increasing numbers of customers were having food stolen by the birds.
Seagull attacks have escalated during the peak summer months according to Larg, who claims the birds are "super aggressive and actually terrifying" and people have been "left bleeding".
“Our record is 30 attacks in one day so we wanted to come up with something that could protect both the customer and the business”, Larg said.
In a bid to solve the issue, the shop is to offer ‘seagull insurance’, which gives customers the option to pay an additional £1 to safeguard their purchases, guaranteeing a replacement in the event that it is stolen by birds.
Larg devised the scheme to mitigate the financial strain of providing free sandwich replacements- at a cost of £6.75 a sandwich- noting, “It always felt cold-hearted to turn down a customer for a replacement, but continuously offering free meals is becoming untenable for our business.”
Whilst the scheme began to address the impact of avian theft on the business, it also has potential to benefit the community, as the shop plans to donate any profits from the insurance at the end of the season to the local football club or charities.
The idea has gone on to inspire other businesses; Hawkins BBQ, a food truck on the Isle of Man have become the latest to offer a £1 policy 'seagull insurance' after locals were left 'traumatised' by bird attacks. The owners plan to donate the proceeds from their new policy to Manx Wildlife Trust which protects the island's birds and animals- including seagulls!