Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

by Seb

hello there mate its a really nice story , I’ve been looking into this for a few days now , the thing is I’ve moved up from London and staying in the north east , where work is harder and I’ve heard that you can make a reasonable living with the burger van.

i really don’t mind spending the cash to buy a nice van , maybe about 5.000 however i don’t know what to do where to start . do i just turn up at a BnQ? and wait till they kick me out , park up at the A1 somewhere ? Wait for police to arrest me? I mean I understand the certificate.

But it’s the pitch thing I don’t understand, I mean if I find a nice spot drive around say 2-3 mile radius and see that no one else is trading. And say I start trading would I get fined? Would police get involved? I mean if you can stop anywhere you like and trade why cant people just park up near or pretty much at town centers where you would properly serve hundreds of customers? I have asked this question to other burger van people all they say is you cant stop there, because its to close to a built up place. Anyhow I hope you can shed some light on to this for me thank you very much!:p

Comments for
Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

Finding a Catering Pitch Is Diffiicult but Not Impossible
by: Anonymous

HI Seb,

First thing I would say is don’t worry about the police arresting you for trading unless you plan on trading on a busy dual carriage way, or somewhere dangerous. As for B&Q they will charge you a lot money to trade on their land, and their normally their sites are all taken.

Finding a pitch will be difficult, but not impossible try industrial estates, fete, car boots or find private land and get permission from the landlord. Also look in the local business papers, eBay and other business publications that sell small businesses and you may just find someone who is looking to sell their mobile catering business.

If you’re lucky you can pick up a complete business for between £5000-£10.000 pounds which normally includes a catering trailer and pitch. Don’t rely on asking other people too much, try and find out for yourself. If you find a pitch in a good location but not sure- get in touch with your local environmental health officer and ask them about using it to trade and see if they can help you.

Hope this will help you out, let me know how it all goes

David

Rating

David is right
by: Lawrence

I Agree with david, you should look to local business estates for lunch time spots and offer a variety of food.

Good luck in your efforts!

Lawrence

Rating

pauls catering
by: paul mac

i no of a car park where there is no parking fee near the sea, there is an ice cream van there every now and again but no food buisness, can i just tip up and start trading in my catering van

regards paul

Rating

Catering Van
by: cookers

HI there

I am looking for a catering van for my event in Finsbury Park on Thursday 13 August in Finsbury Park - 5. 30 - 9.30pm.

I'm running a small running event (about 200 participants) and I really need a catering van offering hot drinks and healthy food.

If you can help please contact nationalevents@stroke.org.uk

Rating

Burger Van
by: Ali

Hi there
I have just been made redundant after 10 years, and bought myself a burger van, which I am in the process of getting all the tests done, fully equiped, gas checkes, H&S etc. Does anyone know of any trading sights in the Lincoln area?. I will not only be offering the standard burgers and hot dogs, but will be doing beef sausage hot dogs, curry & rice, curry in a loaf, plus other different types of "non standard" burger van food.

Rating

ali
by: Anonymous

Ali Mate walk before you run....dont overstretch yourself with menu til you see what the pitch is like or you will have a heavy waste bin at end of day!!.As far as the car park is concerned..if it is council owned and not a busy premium car park...e.g...near offices with high demand for spaces, then you should be ok...my council has a roads officer whom you should contact in first instance...very helpful and will point you in right direction...good luck
Robbie

Rating

seb
by: Anonymous

Seb first thing you need to learn is to keep your trap shut!!!,,,harsh i know but you are entering a cuthroat business...no one will tell you any thing yet they will suck you dry for info...Whether it be about pitches or good quality cheap stock...they are merciless.I have learned a lot in last couple of years about this...it goes against my natural character and you sound like i was when i started out.....take my advice on board mate...and good luck!!!

Rating

wanting a pitch to trade on
by: steve

hi im from sherborne in dorset is there any body out there that can help me out ive just got an catering trailer and want to know if any pitch on offer in the sherborne area so i can start trading

Rating

move on
by: Anonymous

I am writing to comment on the treatment i have recieved from my local council with regard to my catering business.I set up the business some tme ago and dutifully followed all the requirements for business start up.I took food course at college, 100% pass,all certs for environmental health, gas , elec, certs.Suitable for purpose certs...everything including public laiability ins...and catering ins.And blow me,if i am not being treated like a total pariah by the council(who gave me my liscence)i cant pitch anywhere, but they are on my case within a day or two...hands out grasping, demanding i apply for "planning permission"...no matter where i am...private land makes no diff.It costs 300 to get this permission, or should i say not get.Then they keep your money!!!even if you fail to be granted,,,which happens all the time.surely this is an unfair cash cow they are operating here.It means for example, i could apply for permission on say, six sites in sucsession...be knocked back on every one...and pay out 1800 quid for nothing!!!!Something needs to be done to address this state of affairs,,,either stop granting licenses...or give the poor buggers a pitching chance....Robbie

Rating

Siting of your van
by: Anonymous

Please don't waste your time, speak to the Local Authority and Highways Authority for the area-if it is private land, planning permission ("change of use") may be needed, if it's on the Highway you will need the ok to occupy lay-bys, etc, and the Local Authority may have a "Consent Street" scheme in place-please do check first and make it easier for yourself