Where can I trade?

There are countless trading opportunities out there for mobile caterers, ranging from small, local events through to pitches at some of the UK’s favourite festivals and events.

Indoor food markets

Specialised street food events have popped up all over the country in the last decade since the success of street food favourites such as Digbeth Dining Club and KERB. Many cities and towns feature specific areas allocated for vendors and entry to trade is usually open to all pending compulsory trading licences and a successful application to the organisers.

Chances are you’ve visited one of these street food markets if you’re considering entering into the market, and as such, you’ll most likely be aware of the thousands of people who pass through the doors of such establishments each month.

Trading at a street food market not only provides crucial experience, but it also presents an opportunity to network with fellow mobile traders and gain valuable insight into the highs and lows of running a similar business. Of course, the feedback you receive from customers is also extremely valuable in helping you find out what you’re doing right and what you could improve on.

 

Private parties

Alongside street food events, private parties provide one of the best ways to make money and build a solid reputation amongst the best of the best in the independent hospitality industry. From corporate offerings to weddings, parties and everything in between, the need for caterers never wanes and catering for your first ever solo event is a big honour. Fees and customer numbers are secured beforehand and so there’s no fear of making a loss on the day, although of course, meticulous planning will ensure that nothing can go wrong and you won’t run out of essentials before the clock strikes the hour when carriages await.

This type of event requires heavy marketing on your side and the ability to get your business out there amongst the competition to demonstrate that you can create a memorable event, but once you do, it’s a lucrative deal that can provide you with the comfort of a packed out diary all year round.

 

Pop-ups

From pub gardens to high streets, to company car parks and railway arches, the rise of the pop-up has allowed many mobile caterers to continue trading during the most tumultuous of times in our industry (Covid-19 for example). These type of jobs rely on a mutual agreement between the land owner and the trader and can be hugely beneficial for both parties in securing footfall and bringing in extra profit.

It’s always worth reaching out to local pubs and restaurants to see if they’re up for providing punters with a menu from a vendor with a new and exiting cuisine. In fact, some wet pubs only offer food in the way of street food vendors as it simply isn’t profitable enough for them to keep a kitchen open fulltime, putting you in good stead for getting your name out there with a regular pitch opportunity.

 

Trading unit              

There’s nothing to stop you from trading out of a factory unit or rented kitchen provided you’ve got all documentation in order and are happy to pay for a unit. Many businesses with this setup operate via delivery apps or allow customers to collect their food order from site on an industrial estate, making it an affordable way to trade seven days a week around events.

Alternatively, with the correct permission of course, you can operate a van that can be taken round industrial estates and office complexes to sell food and drink; a lot of this work often comes from franchising opportunities.

Roadside pitches

Historically and back before the street food boom, pretty much all vendors would trade on the side of a highway or A-road from roadside pitches. While these pitches are like gold dust these days due to the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act, there is still a chance to trade in such locations with permission from the local authority if they allow it.

Roadside pitches conjure up memories for many of long road trips, stopping off en-route for a juicy burger and as we all know, food options are often limited when on a 200 mile trip across A-roads, making them a very lucrative option for many caterers if they are lucky enough to obtain a license.

 

Festivals

Like a musician dreams of headlining at Glastonbury, for many a mobile caterer, the end goal is to serve happy festival goers at the likes of Boardmasters, Shambala and Latitude. Long gone are the days of greasy burgers at music events, with organisers instead adamant on supplying quality food as part of the full festival experience.

Pitch fees at these events vary hugely based on expected footfall, location, popularity and the number of traders, so it’s especially important to make sure you can afford the cost of the pitch and expect to make profit before you commit.

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Street Trading Licenses 

This page will cover the process behind obtaining a street trading license for your street food business.

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