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How Do I Convert a Van Into a Catering Van?

by Karina Taylor
(Barnsley, South Yorkshire)

Mobile catering van with serving hatch open showing stainless steel interior

Mobile catering van with serving hatch open showing stainless steel interior

Hi I've just purchased a ex education van approx 20 ft by 10 ft and i am looking for a company to do the conversion. I live in south Yorkshire and the companies that are coming up are all down south. Does anyone know a company that will do do the conversion.
Regards Karina

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by: MobCater

Converting a van yourself is actually how a lot of people get into this business, and I'd say it's one of the smartest ways to start if you're on a budget. I've bought and converted a few over the years, and every time I've made a profit when it came to selling.

The first thing to get clear on is what you're going to sell, because that dictates the layout, the equipment, and the gas and electrical setup. A burger van needs a griddle, bain-marie, fridge, and a tea urn at minimum. A coffee van is a completely different layout. Get your menu nailed down before you start ripping the inside out of a van.

Once you know the menu, you need to think about the serving hatch, the work surfaces, the hand wash basin, and the food prep sink. The EHO will want to see two separate sinks as a minimum, one for hand washing and one for food prep or washing up. Stainless steel surfaces are what you want because they're easy to clean and that's what the inspector expects to see. You'll also need proper ventilation if you're cooking with gas, and your gas installation absolutely must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That's not optional and it's not a DIY job.

My biggest tip for conversions is what I call the DIY method. Buy a decent second hand van that's mechanically sound, fit it out to pass the EHO inspection, then go to a sign company and get the exterior wrapped professionally. I bought a trailer for £750 once, did it up, got it signed, and sold it years later for £8,500. The signage is what makes it look like a proper business, and that's what gets you invited to better pitches and events.

One thing people forget is the gas safety certificate. Before you can trade, you'll need an LPG safety check carried out by a qualified engineer. They'll check your pipework, regulators, hoses, and ventilation. Budget around £150 to £250 for this, and it needs doing every year.

Keep it simple with your first conversion. Get it legal, get it clean, get it signed, and start trading. You can always upgrade as you go.

All the best

David

Disclaimer: Gas installation and maintenance must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Never attempt gas work yourself. Check gassaferegister.co.uk for qualified engineers in your area.

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