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Planning Permission In Tesco Car Park

by Joe's vintage coffee van
(Herts)

Hello. I have just started my own business selling coffee from a converted h van. The plan was to just do this at weekends at local fairs etc.

I contacted my local Tesco store and they were keen for me to pitch up in their car park Monday to Friday. Which was very exciting? There is no contract or agreement just a gentleman’s hand shake to "see how it goes!" I have applied to the council for my permission to sell but they have informed me that I "may" need planning permission.

I have approached the manager of Tesco and he says that it's up to me to get all the relevant permissions and doesn't want to "bother" his planning dept with this "small" matter.

What should I do? This is a great site, but unpredictable with its longevity. How much would applying for planning cost? Do I just start anyway and wait and see what happens? Will I receive a fine? Sorry so many questions!

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Apr 02, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Brows bar
by: Anonymous

Hey anybody give me advice that if I wil apply for open the small brows bar in the Tessco car parking they will expect my request
Mar 19, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tescos Change of Policy
by: Concession Holder in Essex

Just want to inform readers of new Tesco Policy as from 1st April 2018.
Firstly in my district planning permission was not an issue for the last 4 years and no rates were charged.
Anyway, Tescos have now informed all concessions on their car parks in this area that LPG users are no longer permitted and mobile caterers have to be off their sites by 1st April 2018 so I wouldn't commit yourself to start a new business if you need LPG.
Jan 16, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		trading in a tesco car park
by: Pizza man

Hi I was very interested to read your comments, i have just made a hand shake deal with a Tesco's manager to sell fast food from the Tesco car park. He says they own the car park and therefore the council have nothing to do with it. I have a horrible feeling he's wrong..........?
Jan 13, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		Planning permission /Tesco car Park
by: Anonymous

You will need planning permission, in my local area Coventry, i was looking into doing same thing at a "Homebase" store, and approx 3 year back the rules said if it was for more than a very short time Planning Permission IS REQUIRED, of then approx £450.00.+VAT.

The agents I was dealing (not directly with Homebase) wanted me to get PP and they would inspect me/trailer on a random visits but lots of these, and I could have been thrown off at anytime, with out getting any of the money back for PP. I was told by the local planning office even the mobile trailers for blood test/breast screening etc units have to get PP even if they're only there for a week .
Regards
Andy
Jan 11, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		tesco
by: Anonymous

Its good on the manager... and also strange that he doesn't want to involve his planning.. as Tesco don't miss any route to earn money.. so be careful that you go through all the hassle etc.. to be then targeted by Tesco for a fee.

they charge local car dealers for parking / advertising their cars, window repair companies and a lot of the supermarkets have latched on to providing a service of car washes.. this is bull its not a service its another earning.. sometimes £000 a month. I know one in a small town paying £3000 a month.

But like others have said go to planning, with pictures and services you will be providing... and make a big thing that you have permission from the store, ( in writing if you can ) this will also help you if Tesco head office come back to you.. planning where I come from is £380 but remember if you then leave your unit on site, they will come for you for rates... not Tesco.

I hope that helps... ask the questions at your council, you will be providing a service to many shoppers, its just depends that once its agreed in principal that it then goes to committee then advertised for objections.. which could be local compitions, and im presuming that there's not costa in store... but there might be a costa(lot) near.
Jan 11, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		making money out of small Businesses
by: Tim Pragnell

I started my mobile pitch in a large car park and
paying the owners rent Highways Agency. I was told i had to apply for full planning permission.

I had to because it was near a Nature Reserve,
quarter of a mile in distance they objected i ended up having to get a town and country planner to represent me.

Then i had to get drawings done. The cost to me was over a Thousand pounds. The Council granted it temporary but for only eight months of the year. Stating that the burger trailer could effect the bird life of the Nature Reserve.
between November and February. They don't nest in the bloody car park .And the car park isn't owned by the council, if it was i was told i would not need planning permission.

The fact its next to a motorway and the car park is free parking and is open 24 hours a day with cars pulling in all night and that the car park is floodlit by the motorway lights didn't stop them making money out of me. Small Business help by the Government and Council ? - B.S.
Jan 11, 2014
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starstarstarstarstar 		planning permission
by: Anonymous

This is further evidence of the councils not supporting small businesses and not wanting mobile caterers. One wonders whether the councils have actually designated specific planning consents for the laybys that they do charge permits for.

Find that out and then go and sell at Tesco. When and if they do arrive, point out that they are guilty of this and that you will continue to trade until they have their house in order!

I used to have a van on private land, no conflict to anyone. The council decided as they weren't getting a cut they threatened to sue the landowner for not having planning permission for me.
Jan 11, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		planning permission
by: Anonymous

this is further evidence of the councils not supporting small businesses and not wanting mobile caterers. one wonders wether the councils have actually designated specific planning consents for the laybys that they do charge permits for . find that out and then go and sell at tescos. when and if they do arrive . point out that they are guilty of this and that you will continue to trade until they have their house in order!
i used to have a van on private land ,no conflict to anyone . council decided as they werent getting a cut they threatenedto sue the landowner for not having planning permission for me . assholes
Jan 09, 2014
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Trading on Tesco Pitch
by: David

Hi Joe,

Congratulations on starting your coffee business and what a great start for the New Year! This opportunity with Tesco sounds great. However planning permission is normally required because you want to change the use of a piece of land from car park to a different use. You will need to submit an application to the planning department and depending on what they say, there may be a cost involved.

I recently spoke with a woman who is in a similar situation in regards to a pitch on a car park, and she has to also go the planning department route (change of use). She was told it would be £5000 for a change of use and that the landowner may also be liable for business rates. Don’t be put off though as the circumstances may be different.

As you say its unpredictable with no solid long-term arrangement or contract, but I would still contact the planning department (hear it from the horse’s mouth) and see what they have to say before going back to Tesco. It was very nice of the Manager to let you park and sell on site, but a shame that the council have to get involved with red tape and make a good opportunity difficult.

If you did decide to just park and sell coffee on the Tesco site, you probably have a month or three before the council visit you and ask you to leave the site. So the choice is yours.

Let me know how you get on at the planning department.

Wishing you the best of luck.
David


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