Newbie - mobile coffee vendor

[Pez]

Hi all

I have seen a mobile coffee van for sale and seriously considering purchasing to try and build up a local business. I have a very busy local train station (which i used to commute from myself before redundancy!) which has no coffee facilities and was wondering if anyone knew how easy it is to get a permit to trade at stations before contacting the rail company that owns the carpark.
Also if anyone knows more about this line of business in general i would love to here from you

thanks

[ginantonic]

Before you even consider buying into this, you must check where you are allowed to pitch. Railway stations are notoriously strict about anyone selling stuff, or even giving away leaflets. We got moved on almost immediately when we were giving out menus for our catering business. Also ask yourself why there isn't a coffee seller there already, maybe they won't allow anyone - surely someone has asked before, (and probably been refused) as it is a prime position.
Also, we have found that people don't have as much disposable income now, and watching commuters get on trains, they have those plastic flasks in the mornings now, presumably made at home.
I'd think carefully about restricting yourself to coffee. There is still a good trade going for the bacon cob type of enterprise, so maybe a combination would work better, and somewhere where you don't have to pay a huge pitch rent, which I suspect you would in a station.

[BusinessIdeas]

Hiya from Gina :)

[Pez]

thanks for the advice Ginantonic!
I thought that might be the case that it was difficult to get a pitch at a station.
There is a vendor in a hut on a nearby station platform (non-franchise) so might check with him about who to contact about rents before separating with my hard earned cash!