A month ago, I bought a food trailer that needed a lot of work, but we’ve made great progress in cleaning and fixing it up. There’s still a lot to do, but I’m currently focusing on developing my menu. So far, I plan to offer two types of sausages and a fresh, homemade salad.
The quality of the food is excellent; everything is sourced from a local butcher who makes the sausages from scratch at a great price. I want to start with these items and see how it goes.
Although I don’t have professional cooking experience, I enjoy cooking for myself and my family. To get a feel for the food trade, I’m considering buying a small gazebo and selling food at car boot sales.
However, I’ve encountered some challenges. Many car boot sales are full and not accepting new vendors, and my messages often go unanswered.
Here are my questions:
1. What advice can you give me as I start this venture?
2. How can I effectively reach out to different events or car boot sales when my messages aren’t getting responses?
3. Besides a food hygiene diploma, what other documents do I need to sell food from a gazebo?
Just so you know your post has been seen: I’ll be surprised if anyone here has relevant experience of food supply, I think most of the TN members have only been involved in the food demand sector, especially the part that is focused mainly on price.
But, to be more constructive, if you wanted to know about the on-the-road legalities of this “gazebo” and it’s transport, I dare say some advice could be forthcoming. Had you considered the legalities of using a vehicle for commercial purposes? There’s likely to be more to it than you might have imagined
Yes, Indeed! I have a well structured business plan. I am only asking the advise on how a gazebo o will operate. Like I said, my trailer it’s not fully finished and I would like to gain some experience in time.
I didn’t say anything about a “business plan”, I asked if you knew anything about the legalities of commercial vehicles on the road - completely different topic.
For example, what is the GVW of the vehicle you plan to use to tow your trailer?
What will be the GTW of the vehicle plus trailer?
If you have nowhere to trade from, hence no idea of costs involved or trading times available, nor know what documents are required, then is your “plan” really “well structured”?
Have you registered with your Local Authority yet? Didn’t they make it clear what documentation is required?
As I mentioned earlier, my business plan is well-structured but still a work in progress. Creating a comprehensive business plan can take months or even years, not just one month.
What I’m specifically looking for is advice from those experienced in trading from a gazebo. Do the requirements differ from those for a food truck? I’m not seeking approval for what I’m selling, just practical insights from people familiar with this domain.
No worries! We’ve already taken that into account. I’m just looking to gather information from those currently working with gazebos so I can get up and running before our trailer is ready. All the equipment is already in place.
So you didn’t think it would be appropriate to quote those numbers to demonstrate you do actually understand what you’re doing? Which incidentally, I don’t think you do, so “I’m out” as they say on TV.
All the advice anyone needs on this topic is freely available from t’intyweb, including specialized sites dedicated to this one topic, I found tons of info with one search, there’s no reason why anyone with a genuine interest could not similarly find the same info with the same ease.
TN isn’t really the place for putative sausage sellers who ask questions while claiming to know it all already
I appreciate your perspective and respect it completely! As mentioned, I have a good handle on the numbers and don’t need to go into details here. If I ever face challenges, I’ll be sure to ask for advice.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear if you have any experience in selling food from gazebos. I’m looking to build up my knowledge in this area.Thanks in advance!
You sound like a hater. I’m just asking for advice. I am posting on multiple forums and I would like to hear different opinions. Let’s help each other and spread less hate! Peace!
You were asked a straight question and chose not to answer - ergo, you don’t know Jack and/or are just " 'aving a girraaaafffe"
No, but I have experience of ill-informed and/or disingenuous posts on TN, and of advising vehicle operators on how to stay on the right side of the law.
Can I have one quarterpounder Trollburger to go please? No fries, and hold the mayo.
You don’t sound like you the type of person who would help anyone based on the way you respond/comment to others. Like I said, this is my passion, I put a lot of work and hours into this and you are here commenting nonsense. I already told you that I don’t need your help and you forcing me to accept it by being mean. This doen’t work like that.
Unless you ever sold for a gazebo, please leave me alone, I might find people that would want to help me for real and not to show off. “I’m out”
At least I’m having my own business and working towards something when you just here, speeding hate and frustration.
Go cry to mummy ‘cause here the grown-ups are talking I paid enough attention to you and I am busy grinding.
You should go to other platforms like Instagram ‘cause kids don’t belong here.
Got to ask mate why would you think a load of truckers who’s sole purpose in life is to basically deliver diffrent types of sh from A to B, have the particular specialised knowledge to answer those 3 specific questions?
Me personally my answer to all 3 is and would be…
'Not a scooby mate, and why tf are you even asking ME ‘’.
Now if you had come on and said…
‘‘If any of you guys use roadside mobile cafes, what items on a menu do you think would be attractive and different enough for me to stand out, in order to gain regular custom from truckers through recommendations by word of mouth’’.
You may have got more constructive and informative responses.
You can have that one for free btw if you want to change the format of your post.
You’re welcome.
Gazebos are fraught with problems as a long term location, not least exposure to all the weather variations for the cook, the foo and the client, the physical necessity or erecting /dismantling every day!! The wear and tear etc.
Besides tha everyday, you’ll need 2 spaces wherever you go - the gazebo and your vehicle. Etc etc.
Other than that, you’ve done the numbers
Thank you! I am not planning to do this for a long time. I just wanna gain experience on what is like to cater food for a large amount of people and get real feedback from potential costumers.
I think the best solution will be to give some free food in exchange for a feedback on my menu. I have created a survey and QR codes that would help me for my next step.
one tip i can give you [as somebody who has ran a small biz ] is ask for advice and listen carefully,thank them,then go do the Exact opposite . Thats worked for me
Example -they tell you dont waste your time with flyers,well you go put out 10k ,personally . Gazebo ,well why not put it up today and get going . Actually heres another tip. Dont overdo the think but DO overdo the do. .
I’m just asking for advice. I am posting on multiple forums and I would like to hear different opinions. Let’s help each other and spread less hate! Peace! 
