Starting a Cafe
Discussion
So I’m 45. Mid life crisis and all. Worked for the same organisation for 20 years. Fed up, stressed, not sleeping, looking for a change.
The house I own has a disused shop attached, right in the centre of a town of around 10K inhabitants. Nowhere during the day for old people or young mothers to go (or the unemployed).
I earn around 50K a year with decent pension. Wife of similar employment status. 2 kids of school age. Big mortgage. Big Sky bill.
So I want to jack it in and start a cafe. It could probably accommodate 30 people at capacity, but cooking stuff would be a problem so may be limited to coffee and cake.
Would I be crazy? I have no experience in catering. Just IT and riding bikes. What could a popular cafe clear during a year? I have a rose tinted view of what it could be; bustling, a centre for the community, a Mecca for local bike rides (I have lots of vintage bikes that could be on display to bring in clubs at the weekend).
Everyone I meet in the town thinks it’s a great idea. But giving up a reasonable pay packet and security for the unknown is scary!
Thoughts?
The house I own has a disused shop attached, right in the centre of a town of around 10K inhabitants. Nowhere during the day for old people or young mothers to go (or the unemployed).
I earn around 50K a year with decent pension. Wife of similar employment status. 2 kids of school age. Big mortgage. Big Sky bill.
So I want to jack it in and start a cafe. It could probably accommodate 30 people at capacity, but cooking stuff would be a problem so may be limited to coffee and cake.
Would I be crazy? I have no experience in catering. Just IT and riding bikes. What could a popular cafe clear during a year? I have a rose tinted view of what it could be; bustling, a centre for the community, a Mecca for local bike rides (I have lots of vintage bikes that could be on display to bring in clubs at the weekend).
Everyone I meet in the town thinks it’s a great idea. But giving up a reasonable pay packet and security for the unknown is scary!
Thoughts?
OyAke said:
The assumption that if I’m properly cooking, stuff like bacon that I’d need more infrastructure, fire regs, extractors, which although may be more expensive for setup, could be a worthwhile investment. Or I could get a George Formby grill.
Lol! I think you mean a George Foreman grill.Turned out nice again....
I know almost nothing about your venture.
But down here in leafy Tunbridge Wells the specialist bike café threw in the towel just a little while back. That's in a catchment area of 50k+ and fairly positive PR, but rented premises.
Still, at least you could indulge in one of those humongous coffee machine things.
But down here in leafy Tunbridge Wells the specialist bike café threw in the towel just a little while back. That's in a catchment area of 50k+ and fairly positive PR, but rented premises.
Still, at least you could indulge in one of those humongous coffee machine things.
I have so many questions about your situation but that’s not what the thread is about.
Why is the shop disused? What is the rateable value? The fact you own it is good one less bill. You’re going to need some set up money £10k should get you on your way but let’s be honest here your not going to replace your current earnings with those from a coffee shop not £50k profit a year and if you would be happy with half that then why not address your current situation and earn less?
Why is the shop disused? What is the rateable value? The fact you own it is good one less bill. You’re going to need some set up money £10k should get you on your way but let’s be honest here your not going to replace your current earnings with those from a coffee shop not £50k profit a year and if you would be happy with half that then why not address your current situation and earn less?
You're never going to make a fortune selling a few cakes and cups of tea to a few passing cyclists, yes the profit margin on a cup of tea is sky high (a teabag costs 2p), but you'll need to sell lots of them.
Also, can you afford to take a gamble, you say you have kids and a "big" mortgage, could you live off your wife's wage if things don't go to plan?
I think you possibly might be better addressing the issues in your job, maybe earing a bit less with a lighter workload, it's no use being the richest man in the cemetery.
Remember the old Mexican fisherman tale.
Also, can you afford to take a gamble, you say you have kids and a "big" mortgage, could you live off your wife's wage if things don't go to plan?
I think you possibly might be better addressing the issues in your job, maybe earing a bit less with a lighter workload, it's no use being the richest man in the cemetery.
Remember the old Mexican fisherman tale.
Wacky Racer said:
You're never going to make a fortune selling a few cakes and cups of tea to a few passing cyclists, yes the profit margin on a cup of tea is sky high (a teabag costs 2p), but you'll need to sell lots of them.
Also, can you afford to take a gamble, you say you have kids and a "big" mortgage, could you live off your wife's wage if things don't go to plan?
I think you possibly might be better addressing the issues in your job, maybe earing a bit less with a lighter workload, it's no use being the richest man in the cemetery.
Remember the old Mexican fisherman tale.
This. Right here lies the truth.Also, can you afford to take a gamble, you say you have kids and a "big" mortgage, could you live off your wife's wage if things don't go to plan?
I think you possibly might be better addressing the issues in your job, maybe earing a bit less with a lighter workload, it's no use being the richest man in the cemetery.
Remember the old Mexican fisherman tale.
Open a Mexican fish shop.
OP don't bother, Cafes and sandwich shops etc are probably one of the fastest failing businesses going. How many £1.50 cups of tea do you need to make to cover your overheads, never mind a reasonable wage. You'll spend everyday wondering why the hell you made such a stupid decision. Rent the shop out and let someone else blow their savings on a cafe dream and then rent it to another dreamer when they fall on their arse.
I did this years back.
With the benefit of hind sight I should have stuck to drinks / cakes / sandwiches (toasted or otherwise). I did breakfasts and that cost a fortune in electricity with lots of food that had limited shelf life etc.
I would not cook anything yourself in order to maximise covers space.
Too much competition from the likes of subway doing cheap meals. I should have aimed at a higher class wanting good coffee/cake etc with wifi and good clientele. I think there is a market for high class venues but not trying to compete with subway etc.
Don't expect to earn anywhere near what you earn right now.
With the benefit of hind sight I should have stuck to drinks / cakes / sandwiches (toasted or otherwise). I did breakfasts and that cost a fortune in electricity with lots of food that had limited shelf life etc.
I would not cook anything yourself in order to maximise covers space.
Too much competition from the likes of subway doing cheap meals. I should have aimed at a higher class wanting good coffee/cake etc with wifi and good clientele. I think there is a market for high class venues but not trying to compete with subway etc.
Don't expect to earn anywhere near what you earn right now.
:
Thanks for all this everyone . I’m under no illusion that it won’t meet my current pay and loss of pension is a worry. Renting it out is a good idea to start. Someone has already offered, but we turned them down as life was simpler then.
In answer to one question, the shop came as part of our house. It was just used as a storage room by the previous owners. It’s in good shape, but never been a cafe before, has been a furniture shop and previously a grocers in times of yore.
In answer to one question, the shop came as part of our house. It was just used as a storage room by the previous owners. It’s in good shape, but never been a cafe before, has been a furniture shop and previously a grocers in times of yore.
037 said:
Why not open a bar or pizza restaurant? Always imagined there would a good margin in pizza
Two nearby pubs. Neither serve food, so wouldn’t want to compete on the booze front. Not sure about pizza, more of a lifestyle change is what I’m after with the bants and to add something back to the community.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff