Legalities of mobile (ie from a van) businesses
Discussion
Hello all,
As well as being an avid petrolhead, I also love being on the water. I sail, row, canoe, fish etc. Our local chandlery has shut down (I vaguely know the people who run it) as they have sold out to fund their retirement. The waterfront shop is being converted into holiday flats. The nearest chandlery now is over 10 miles away, leaving an entire river and section of coastline in the SW without easy access to marine bits and bobs.
So hear comes the idea. I am floating the idea of a mobile chandlery. All the key bits that any waterbaby could need for their dinghy/yacht/rower etc. Stock would be carried in something like a nice transit van, backed up with stock stored in my garage.
Basically, are there any legal limitations from running this sort of business from a van. I would be registered (Limited) with a company address etc but the shop front would be the van.
Whilst I would strategically place the van most of the time (regattas etc), I would also be on call from 9-5 within a given radius of our operating base.
Thoughts/suggestions/random info gratefully received!
Max
As well as being an avid petrolhead, I also love being on the water. I sail, row, canoe, fish etc. Our local chandlery has shut down (I vaguely know the people who run it) as they have sold out to fund their retirement. The waterfront shop is being converted into holiday flats. The nearest chandlery now is over 10 miles away, leaving an entire river and section of coastline in the SW without easy access to marine bits and bobs.
So hear comes the idea. I am floating the idea of a mobile chandlery. All the key bits that any waterbaby could need for their dinghy/yacht/rower etc. Stock would be carried in something like a nice transit van, backed up with stock stored in my garage.
Basically, are there any legal limitations from running this sort of business from a van. I would be registered (Limited) with a company address etc but the shop front would be the van.
Whilst I would strategically place the van most of the time (regattas etc), I would also be on call from 9-5 within a given radius of our operating base.
Thoughts/suggestions/random info gratefully received!
Max
The on-call aspect should be fine, but if you are planning to park-up then I expect you will need a trading licence for the location.
If others agree with me (as I have been known to be wrong many a time
) then it's probably worth having a friendly chat with your council - explaining that the area has lost the service it once had due to a private development...
If others agree with me (as I have been known to be wrong many a time
) then it's probably worth having a friendly chat with your council - explaining that the area has lost the service it once had due to a private development...Pot Bellied Fool said:
If you're not parking up long term the not a problem - I see you as a watery snap-on type outfit?
That is good news! Don't take me as being rude, but is that just a guess or based on what you know is to be true? If the latter, could you point me in the direction of something I could have a little read up on? I don't want to start something up only to find that I get b
ksed at the starting grid.Watery snap-on type outfit - I like it! Might have to come up with a similar name to that! To be honest, I feel like its the sort of business that could have a random, quirky name! Any suggestions anyone?
groomi said:
The on-call aspect should be fine, but if you are planning to park-up then I expect you will need a trading licence for the location.
If others agree with me (as I have been known to be wrong many a time) then it's probably worth having a friendly chat with your council - explaining that the area has lost the service it once had due to a private development...
A friend of a friend is on the local council so I will hopefully do some digging...If others agree with me (as I have been known to be wrong many a time
) then it's probably worth having a friendly chat with your council - explaining that the area has lost the service it once had due to a private development...I don't intend to park up for long - most likely it will be for the hour or two before a race (local clubs will have 1 or 2 races each weekend in the summer months. I just want to be there to initially get myself known and provide any bits and bobs people need. I am thinking of setting up club discount cards for local clubs and sailing schools etc. Also, have a priority service that other businesses/people can call if they need something urgently and we guarantee it is in their hand within the hour etc.
Cheers to both of you so far
Speak to the local authority and get a definitive answer. It sounds like you will need a street trading licence to park up which I recall defines the times and locales.
It is prety important to get this bit right if you intend to spend a few hours each Wednesday selling from an agreed spot on the dockside. You may need permission from all of the local authorities across that coast.
It is prety important to get this bit right if you intend to spend a few hours each Wednesday selling from an agreed spot on the dockside. You may need permission from all of the local authorities across that coast.
Max Turbo said:
Pot Bellied Fool said:
If you're not parking up long term the not a problem - I see you as a watery snap-on type outfit?
That is good news! Don't take me as being rude, but is that just a guess or based on what you know is to be true? If the latter, could you point me in the direction of something I could have a little read up on? I don't want to start something up only to find that I get bksed at the starting grid.Watery snap-on type outfit - I like it! Might have to come up with a similar name to that! To be honest, I feel like its the sort of business that could have a random, quirky name! Any suggestions anyone?
I was in a rush when I typed it but my understanding was that you'd be trawling (see what I did there?) around different sites, popping in, saying hello, letting people buy & then off to the next one.
That would be van sales and I couldn't see a problem.
Alternatively, if you're planning on parking up for a regular half day or so then I could see the local authority taking an interest (but maybe not if on private land - commission to marina owners perhaps may bear fruit?).
I'd be inclined to pop into your local trading standards & try & get a determination from them (naturally, you push the fact that you're hopping from place to place - bit different to a burger van that takes over a layby).
Good Luck with it, unlike the fish I think it's an idea with legs!
I can't comment on the licence thing (though it sounds correct), but the idea sounds quite good. You might consider as well:
- On-call service: Mobile phone number at the marina office. Punters can call an order for asap or next day. You deliver or pass by the garage to pick it up. If overnight, you can arrange to leave it at the office for when they next visit.
- Workshop service: You don't just sell rope, but can seal, splice or whatever it is sailors do with it. A basic set of tools/vice, etc. in the van. also gives you something to play with while you're waiting for custom.
- I think something bigger than a Transit if you can (e.g. large Mercedes)
- Keep an eye always for expansion. Add a kitted out trailer and a mate (see what I did there). Dump at site 1, and you have a satellite office for peanuts.
GPSS said:
Why not open up a chandlary shop near the one that closed. Renting a shop in a secondary location will be cheaper than buying and kitting out a large van. Dont forget a large van full of stuff will need to be left in secure storage at night, which costs.
The village in which the chandlers has shut is a very expensive place to own/rent property. For what I want to do, I think the van idea is a stronger proposition. If it doesnt work, I can at least sell the van and all the kit easily without having to worry about a lease or property sales.Where I live is also in a good location, where I feel the safety of the van is good. It would be parked on my driveway which is on a private road etc etc.
TBH I think going with the van idea adds a certain something to the whole thing - its mobile, its flexible to move with demands, and expandable (workshop services as someone else suggested) which a shop isnt.
But I see what you are saying about the benefits of a shop - thanks for the input!
HiRich said:
- On-call service: Mobile phone number at the marina office. Punters can call an order for asap or next day. You deliver or pass by the garage to pick it up. If overnight, you can arrange to leave it at the office for when they next visit.
HiRich said:
* Workshop service: You don't just sell rope, but can seal, splice or whatever it is sailors do with it. A basic set of tools/vice, etc. in the van. also gives you something to play with while you're waiting for custom.
Ooo some machinery to tinker with is always good! I would need an inverter et al to power various things anyway, so powering a few little things shouldnt be too bad. I see some sort of mini work station, and lots of clever storage all in the back of the van.HiRich said:
* I think something bigger than a Transit if you can (e.g. large Mercedes)
Could do - all depends on how much and what sort of thing I want to stock. Something I would have to look into. I think I would surprise myself how much could be fitted into a Transit, if space was used wisely. HiRich said:
* Keep an eye always for expansion. Add a kitted out trailer and a mate (see what I did there). Dump at site 1, and you have a satellite office for peanuts.
I like this!
Max Turbo said:
GPSS said:
Why not open up a chandlary shop near the one that closed. Renting a shop in a secondary location will be cheaper than buying and kitting out a large van. Dont forget a large van full of stuff will need to be left in secure storage at night, which costs.
The village in which the chandlers has shut is a very expensive place to own/rent property. For what I want to do, I think the van idea is a stronger proposition. If it doesnt work, I can at least sell the van and all the kit easily without having to worry about a lease or property sales.Where I live is also in a good location, where I feel the safety of the van is good. It would be parked on my driveway which is on a private road etc etc.
TBH I think going with the van idea adds a certain something to the whole thing - its mobile, its flexible to move with demands, and expandable (workshop services as someone else suggested) which a shop isnt.
But I see what you are saying about the benefits of a shop - thanks for the input!
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