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Can I Set Up a Catering Van on My Drive?

by Liz
(Huddersfield)

Catering van on a residential driveway

Catering van on a residential driveway

I have been given a mobile catering van by a friend (on my request) because she wasn't using it. I have a car drive that would fit it on and then face out into the road (it's a large, wide road) the road is not that busy but there are no businesses round about offering coffee/tea/egg or bacon butties and i think this would be a great opportunity for me to make money as I am recently unemployed and looking for options. Is this legal? I would make sure that I have all the necessary certificates (health & safety, liability, gas etc)

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Mar 28, 2026
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starstarstarstarstar 		Trading From Your Driveway
by: MobCater

Hiya Liz,

This is a really common question and I can see why you'd think it's a great opportunity — spotting a gap in your area is half the battle.

The honest answer is that trading from your driveway is tricky. The main issue is planning permission. Your house and driveway are classed as residential, and running a food business from there would be a "change of use" in planning terms. You'd need to apply to your local council for permission, and they'll look at things like traffic, noise, smells, parking and how it affects your neighbours. Some councils are stricter than others, but in a residential street it's quite common for them to say no — especially if any neighbours object.

That said, it's not impossible. Some people do get permission, particularly if the street is quiet and they're only trading certain hours. It's worth having a chat with your local planning department before you spend any money — they'll give you an idea of whether it's likely to be approved. Most councils have a pre-application advice service that's either free or a small fee.

Even if you do get planning permission sorted, you'll still need to register as a food business with your local council at least 28 days before you start trading. You'll also want a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate (about £15-£20 online, takes a couple of hours), public liability insurance (around £150-£300 a year for £5 million cover), and a gas safety certificate if you're using LPG on the van. Sounds like you've already thought about most of that which is great.

One thing to think about — if the driveway doesn't work out, don't let that put you off completely. A lot of people start by finding a pitch on an industrial estate or retail park, or even doing car boot sales to test the water. From personal experience, sometimes the pitch you didn't plan on turns out to be the best one.

You've got this — the fact you're asking the right questions before jumping in puts you ahead of most people.

Try the free MobCater App — our startup checklist and guide walks you through every step: https://www.mobcater.co.uk/mobile-catering.html

Disclaimer: This is general advice for UK mobile catering. Licensing rules vary between councils, so always check with your local authority's street trading or licensing team before you start.

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