Taking a Catering Pitch - DIY Stores?

by David R

Hi,

Thanks for the inspiring story and for the help you offer others here.

I have been offered a permanent pitch in a B&Q DIY store in my city.

The rent is £125+VAT per week, regardless of the nature of the food service offered. The only restriction is that the catering unit must not take up more than 3 car parking spaces.

Do you think this is good value for money? The weekly cost was more than I was anticipating - some people rent lockups for less than this amount. Then again, they are tied into long leases - I can vacate this pitch with just 2 weeks notice if I wish, without cost.

I suppose the pitch comes with a decent captive trading audience but making £125 profit each week before I earn my living seems a lot.

Any views? This pitch is new and no-one has traded from it before. Next to the B&W there is a large tool hire company, and opposite there is a retail park with Currys, Comet, etc.

I have not purchased a catering van yet, as I want to secure the pitch first, but I am considering a 12ft long catering van based on a LDV Convoy (2004) for £8k.

Thanks for any pointers!

Regards,

David R

Comments for Taking a Catering Pitch - DIY Stores?

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Jan 25, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Looking for a pitch in london NEW
by: Anonymous

Hi,

I am looking for a pitch in london

07538825828
Jul 16, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch NR Newquay Cornwall
by: Anonymous

Im interested in the pitch mentioned but cant reply to the comment, Help!!!

andy 07877174330
Jun 30, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		New pitch coming soon
by: Anonymous

Hi I have a potential pitch coming up soon in Cornwall NR Newquay. Its on private land off a very busy main road. Possibility of space for under cover seating area as well and plenty of parking. If interested please reply to this comment.
Apr 11, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Looking to pitch a jacket potato trailer
by: Anonymous

I live in South Shields and before I buy the trailer I need a permanent trading pitch I have no clue how to achieve this or who allows it as I’m new to the area , south Tyneside council are saying no I’m just wondering if anyone knows of any please
May 27, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How to find a pitch
by: Anonymous

Hi
I’m new in this
Bought a trailer but don’t even where to look for a pitch
Is there website or somewhere i can look for
Thanks
Mar 10, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Retail Concessions
by: David-

Hello,

There is a page on the site which has links to Retail concessions and contains other useful pitch information, please visit this: Catering Pitch

Regards,
David
Mar 05, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How to get on to a wicks
by: Anonymous

Hi, I have got a catering trailer but just want to know how to get on to a wicks do you just ask in side the store, or is there someone I can phone like retail concession. Thanks in advance.
Sep 13, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Looking for a pitch . Nottingham area
by: Anonymous

Hubby has a trailer and use to have a great pitch untill an article lorry reversed and took our buisness off the road... (dispute between who I rented off and another buisness owner ) so I have been struggling since ... I would appreciate if anyone could recommend anything or anyone I could go to as we need to get up and running ... and yes the food is lush.
Feb 18, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch Ideas and Links
by: David-

Hello all,

Yes finding a pitch should be number 1 on your list before you get the van, equipment etc. However, I understand this is not always possible.

I've included a page with some resources to possible mobile catering pitch/locations I will try my best to update as resources become available.

Best of luck,
David
Feb 18, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Seafood pie and mash
by: Anonymous

I am looking for a pitch for my catering trailer selling seafood pie and mash rolls baguettes and bagels in or around maldon etc
Oct 06, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Catering trailer
by: Jim

Hi I am now ready to ready to start trading ftom my catering trailer but it seems i put the cart before the horse .having read all the comments on here i think I should have got the pitch first ? Oh well will keep looking if anyone knows of a location in nottingham please call jim on 07401708783
Jul 18, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch and burger van
by: Anonymous

I am looking for a site in or around Harlow Essex please
May 14, 2017
Rating
starstarstar 		Site in or around Rushden
by: Anonymous

I am looking for a site in or around Rushden. Please someone help. Agnes 07497677362
Mar 09, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch
by: Anonymous

Can someone help me to find a pitch in Newcastle for my trailer please
Tracey 07645195858
Aug 09, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		B&Q
by: Shaun

If your rent is only £125 +vat from retail concessions that is unbelievably cheap as my rent is over £400 per week ? & im not making much either I'm in talks with them regarding a reduction if that don't happen I will be hitching up & driving off !!!
Jun 28, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Retail concessions
by: Anonymous

All b&q sites are run by retail concessions if the rent is that cheap it will go up once you are in and trading I to was in a b&q last year until they got greedy and put the rent up plus you are paying them every 30 days
Jan 27, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trying to find a pitch
by: Anonymous

Hi Guys,

can anyone please help me find a pitch in Bristol. I have just brought a catering van and looking to start up a new business however I am struggling to find a place to pitch it. I have already been turned down once and I am really struggling to find another. If any of you can help it would be much appreciated. please contact me on 07834 27 9639.
Aug 11, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Catering trailer
by: KarenAnonymous

Hi could any one help me to find a pitch please I have a catering trailer I have done some charity events to raise money for cancer but their is not many events .please contact 07425096818 bedfordshire
Jul 21, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		pitches
by: Timlechef

Hi all I recently came off an army base with lots of cadets the catering company decided to do it themselves now im high and dry needed generater and a 4x4 to tow ive had some decent pitches but would say 50 a week is enough u less the site is a goldmine, im looking for a gas frier if anyone knows of one shout me up cheers
May 04, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		too much
by: peter harrison

We have a pitch home base stratford we pay £90 an that's too high . we will only be staying there until our traders licence runs out
Dec 13, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		B&Q Pitches
by: Eastendsteve

B&Q pitches are through a company called Retail Concessions, they are based in Harlow Essex. I found that when I had my site you could negotiate on price, they wanted £150 and I negotiated it down to £50,00 per week for 9 months then as the business developed it went up to £75.00 per week.
They used to require that you give all B&Q staff a 10 percent discount and that you have to carry something organic for sale, i.e. organic snack bars.
Hope this helps you and good luck.
Eastendsteve
Oct 01, 2013
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Help needed
by: Anonymous

Hi I have brought a food trailer which came with a pitch for Saturdays only which is ok but it's over 2 hrs drive from my home I want to move the trailer but I don't know where to go to get a new pitch all the retail parks near me have already got food vans so I'm a little lost any one help please
Aug 20, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		burger van pitches
by: kev

hi all im starting my new adventure a burger van ive brought a new trailer being delivered to me this afternoon but as yet i havent got a pitch does anyone know of any in the camberley surrey area please ????
Sep 16, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Homebase
by: pop

I currently have a pitch in Homebase in Kingston Surrey £100 per week + VAT I pay which I thought would be good but not making the sort of turnover I was expecting. Do you think compnay would lower this rate?? I also rent my trailer at £660 a month so have to make £1000 a month before I make a profit can anyone give me helpful tips??
Jun 08, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		please help me find a catering trailer pitch
by: julie

Hi,I have bought a burger van / catering trailer but where we planned on putting it some1 has beaten us to it (the local councils fault) as the person who deals with where we wanted to put it has left but not taken the voicemail of her phone so for 6 weeks now and a dozen messages or more left with no reply.I rang the council yet again. I was finally given a new number and yes the sites been taken. Im not a happy bunny : ( I do a lot of fundraising for helpforheroes and have been having partys at home using it but want a proper site to put it on!! I live in ellesmere port cheshire if any1 can help me out that would be great.Please contact me julie on 07946159016. thank you.xx
Mar 20, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How to get a pitch?
by: Jim

How did you go about getting the pitch from B&Q? There is one near me and I'm interested in having a jacket potato trailor.

Jan 22, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Catering Trainler
by: Anonymous

David,

How did you get on with the catering trailer, was it worth it in the end?

George
Jan 07, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Where To Buy a Catering Trailer?
by: Anonymous

Hi David,

This sound like a good idea and you seem to have everything under control.

Your right about not using a catering van on some sites/pithces as they view a catering van as a health and safety issue and one that their insurance will not cover.

With regards to where to buy a catering trailer the best thing to do is to just Google catering trailers for sale and you should see quite a few come up in the search results.

Alternatively the catering trailer supplier I usually recommend is www.ajc-trailers.co.uk and it’s mainly because they also hire catering trailers as well as sell them.

Really good for people who don’t have the capital to buy out right - they can choose the option to rent which gives time to try the business out.

Anyway – best of luck again. Let us know how you get on.

Jan 07, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks
by: David R


Thanks for the advice and encouragement David. I;m sure you're right that as long as the volume (and therefore turnover) is there, the £125+VAT weekly cost of the pictch could end up being a bargain.

I've looked at another pitch that is only £75+VAT per week. It's a smaller retailer (a Homebase store) but on two visits to each of these pitches, I've noticed there have always been more cars parked in the smaller of the car parks (the £75 pitch), than in the larger £125 pitch car park.

I guess I could start with the £75 pitch as it's a lower cost / commitment, and then change pitches if I feel the need. (The company have confired I can do this with 4 weeks notice).

One other thing I did learn was that the company managing the pitches will not allow any type of converted catering van. The unit must be a purpose-built cateing trailer, and it must have both hot and cold running water via tap, and must have two sinks.

So I am now looking at trailers and towing, rather than a van, which had seemed more versatile.

This is a really exciting time - I have been an IS Project Manager on a good wage for many years but was made redundant on 31/12. I am disillushioned and fed up with the politics of organisations and the prospect of being a corporate slave all y life. Some friends and family think I am mad but I am confident that with my good attention to customer satisfaction and a willingness to work hard, I will make a mobile catering pitch a real success.

David, could you recommend a supplier of catering trailers that ensures CE conformity and provides higher end features like instant hot water and duel sinks, etc ?

I would prefer to buy 'nearly new' but would consider a brand new unit if the price was right. I would like to spend up to £8k if possible, but for the righ unit, I would spend up to £10k.

Thank you again for all your great help.

David R
Jan 05, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch on Retail Park Sound Really Good!
by: Anonymous

Hi David,

This sound great and you also have the benefit of a large retail park which I am sure will be busy on the weekends. Even if you can’t work 7 days a week you could employ someone trust worthy to help you out.

Yes I know that £125+VAT will quite a lot, but you could have a really lucrative pitch.Which could make you thousands of pounds a month, or not – but you will never know unless you give it a try.

I’m sure that at the very least you should be turning over at least £700(min)- £1000+ if it’s a good pitch. You also have the advantage that no one else is on there so you can make a fresh start, cook some really great tasting foods - and offer good value for money.

The trailer that you have suggested sounds about the right size, just make sure it’s really, really clean and all gas appliances if it’s possible.

I’m sure that you will make it a big success if you choose to go for it. You could also do some market research to make sure, ask around the pitch and see what they are saying. People will tell you if hot food is in demand or not.

Get some menus made up with your phone number and give them out to people, this will be good for business.

What ever you decide David; I wish you the best of luck!

Contact me anytime.

Regards
David

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