Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

by Seb

hello there mate it’s 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 B&Q, 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 can’t 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 can’t stop there, because it’s too close to a built up place.

Anyhow I hope you can shed some light on to this for me thank you very much!:p

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Not Sure About Where To Trade My Catering Trailer

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Jun 19, 2011
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Storeage
by: Anonymous

One of the most important lessons to learn is stock control, including use by and best before dates, never buy in shed loads of stuff thats on special unless you have somewhere to store it, saving £200 on a batch of burgers is no good if you have to rent a lock up at £25 a week buy a £200 freezer and electric at £10 aweek.

Learn your pitch and it's trends, it is far better to say "Sorry mate we've had such a run today we've sold out" ,one , makes you sound a very populare eating point, 2 you don't have stock to take home or store.

If you've done your research properly you should have a reasonable idea of what you need, if you have a fridge/freezer on board you can keep a lot of food frozen until required even burgers only take minjutes although sausage and other thicker products take longer obviously.

If you have a microwave you can even use frozen baps,that if defrosted properly come out lovely and fresh and actually smell like fresh baked.

Aoid using "loglife" bread rolls and baps, the ones with months of shelf life, they taste very sweet.
As for H&S the EHO inspects your trailer at it's place of storeage ,in this area, and also has the right to drop on you at any time whilst operating. If you prepare food at home he also has the right to check standards there.

Jun 19, 2011
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stock?
by: mike

just wondering might be a silly question but where do u lot store your stock at the end of your trading day? and does h and s come into it?

Jun 12, 2011
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Anything missing?
by: Anonymous

You seem to have it covered with your approach and what you plan to do.

As for a product that would sell well and make you money hand over fist? We'd all be trying to sell it mate.

Just get what your punters want and like , when you start up say to them " I've only just started up if there is anything you don't like be honest and tell me and I'll see if I can change it." A few of mine at the beginning said "Not keen on the burgers mate." They were 100% beef , I changed to 80% and they were happy.

Likewise with tea went from *G *ips tea bags to *sda as I prefer them myself, guess what ? So did they. Never use cheap coffe always go for N*scafe or similar or it's false economy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Jun 12, 2011
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Catering Start up Novice - Help Wanted
by: Dale Messer

Hi, I am currently thinking a starting a catering business. And have many great ideas in mind. So far i have been looking on eBay for vans up to £6000 and have seen some really nice ones. I am a novice when it comes to the food industry but have big ambitions and ideas to make my business successful. My first question would be "ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS I SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING A VAN?" such as mechanical wise and size etc. Also, i am thinking of selling Burgers, Sausages, Ice-cream, Slush and other drinks." IS THERE ANY SPECIAL PRODUCT THAT WOULD REALLY BRING IN THE PUNTERS AND PROVIDE A REALLY HEALTHY PROFIT MARGIN?" thirdly "WHAT IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS?" Pitch location, prices, advertising etc.

I have been researching the steps that are needed to setup my business correctly and so far i have come up with below:

Locate and Secure pitch
Complete h&s and hygiene course (1 day cert)
Aquire Public liability insurance
Register as self employed with HM&C
purchase Catering van
Find reliable good quality low cost suppliers
SELL LIKE HELL.

AM I MISSING ANY STEPS HERE.

THANK YOU FOR READING, PLEASE WRITE BACK OR email me at: dalomesser@hotmail.co.uk

Jun 06, 2011
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All kinds of everything............
by: Anonymous

Hi to all, a lot of the comments on the page are very true, personally before I bought my trailer.

I checked with the Local council, Env Health, Highways etc and according to them all where I wanted to trade was perfectly OK.

I got all the paperwork in place ,had my checks done all fine. On my second day of trading along came the plastic policemen "Highway officer" or whatever the dingbats are called that are obviously failed coppers or worse!

"You're going to have to move.." --"But I was told..." -- "You were told wrong, trunk roads belong to the Highways agency, not Council,
and we don't allow trading on them ....."

I checked, he was right, the Local council had given me the wrong info,there again Highways had done the same initially!

I found a nice little ,nonm-trunk road, set up and was there for 6 weeks, nice steady flow of business building up, then some jobsworth told me to move on under Section 148 of the Highways act, which he had the right to do, dickhead, no reason given just decided to.

Looked at B and Q £250 a week, 3 months up front oh and the nearest one with a pitch available nearly 60 miles away.

I struck lucky and got a pitch on a market, 3 days a week, tourist town , great during holidays but, dead during winter.

I looked at Industrial estates, most around here have trailers on already, they are usually privately owned and in GENERAL do not need PP just the Lanlords OK.

They usually want rent though and that can be quite high. Do all your footwork BEFORE you part with your money.

Get it all in writing and then if something goes wrong.Sue whoever gave you the wrong info or permissions.

By the way around here a street traders licence is £1,025 per year if you want to trade in the town, which has many non consented streets.

Mar 15, 2011
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Trailer for sale
by: Anonymous

I have a great Jacket Potato Catering trailer for sale with 30 bookings throughout the year. I'm booked solid from April-Sep 2011.

If you are looking for a great business with a serious income then have a gander on ebay under jacket potato catering trailer.

Cheers

If you want to know anything more then email me at paulcrane41@yahoo.co.uk

Feb 03, 2011
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Regulations
by: Anonymous

To Burger Van,
I have been through all the formalities in the Lincolnshire area, I have been passed from Council to Planning, Planning to Highways and back again. Roads in the area are governed by local councils, if they grant planning permission, it then gets referred back to Highways and roads who have told me that it is unlikely that they will grant permission on safety grounds. No additional vans or trailers are allowed on the Markets and I have had letters back from the country fare organisers saying that the quotas are already filled.
Council pitches are not allowed to be sold privately or transferred so take care if you are offered one.
I was told to find a spot and to apply for planning permission, but as an earlier user commented, it all costs and the chances of being approved are slim.
Glad I did not go and invest in a £40k new van to find all this out afterwards.

Good luck and let us know if you have any success.

Sep 06, 2010
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burger trailer
by: mark

i have a burger trailer for sale comes with every thing to start trading asap .I have had it for a year and it has made me lots of money . i need to sell need the money for a care . it's a good invesment to start a business. will take 4000 for it which is a bargin as it comes with lots of extras call 07546156453 for info

Sep 01, 2010
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other options
by: Anonymous

I started this year and have found it hard to get a pitch so gave up, I went down another road and applied to events for shows and festivals Like Notting hill and other such events, outlay is big but rewards can be as well, but be careful.you will find scam artists by the bucket full. good luck

Jul 29, 2010
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catering trailer for sale!
by: lyndsey

Hi, I have a catering trailer for sale, which includes the following;
Jacket potato oven
parry griddle
hot & cold ban marie
2 fridges
till
microwave
2 sinks
small table top drinks fridge
pukka pie machine
and many many extras

Im hoping to get what i've paid out on it £7,000 ovno

Must be seen, also have pictures and can arrange viewings.. if interested please call me on 07809479953 no time wasters please..

Jul 02, 2010
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need help with my van
by: steve chant

hi im steve from sherborne in dorset im looking for a place to trade my catering trialer im looking for like boot sale pitches an private events if you can help me out give me a buzz on 07704220802 or contact my land line an leave me a message 01935 814697 cheers

Apr 28, 2010
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trading on land without planning permission
by: Anonymous

so what happens if the council find u trading on land without planning permission? i spoke to a guy at the planning dept and he wispered to me to just go for it as all they can do is move me on if they do find me. i asked if they would fine me he said no. do i take a chance??

Mar 02, 2010
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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

Jan 28, 2010
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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

Jan 26, 2010
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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

Nov 26, 2009
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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!!!

Nov 26, 2009
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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

Sep 21, 2009
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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.

Jul 21, 2009
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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

Jun 05, 2009
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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

Feb 10, 2009
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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

Nov 17, 2008
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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

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