A takeaway business in a Container

[Amazin]

Here's what I'm thinking, is it actually possible to rent a space or land where you can put a container there and turn it into a takeaway where you can cook food? I'm sure the it won't straight forward

 

[obscure]

If the structure complied with all the necessary health and safety regulations you should be fine. However an unaltered container probably wouldn't as, for example, there would be no alternative exit to use in case of fire/emergency.

 

[IanG]

Used to be one in the car park of Mr Smith's nightclub in Warrington. That was years ago though.

 

[Benjamin Sherwin]

Like @obscure said, as long as it complies with all of the necessary health and safety laws. Good idea!

 

[Gecko001]

You would possibly need Planning Permission. I think you do not need Planning Permission for some temporary structures, but I am not sure about this situation. I would seek advice from an architect or planning consultant.

 

[JamieM]

What's wrong with a traditional style 'snack van'? A container doesn't seem very practical and would need a bit of adapting for ventilation and access.

 

[mtools]

Yes this is possible, there is a guy doing this by me, called the tin kitchen you can find him on Instagram, it's really cool he cooks healthy stuff, different every day but always delicious and it's really well decorated

 

[Mr A P Davies]

Yup, I know of one. It's been there for years, in a big layby on a busy road, it's very successful, or at least appears to be.
They have two containers, never really studied what length they are.

It makes sense, up to a certain point, providing you don't want to move it too often.
Where your losing is that your going to have to choose your pitch, invest the money, and stick it out, where as with a mobile van, at least you can move to another pitch if it doesn't work out.

Where you win, is that catering vans are a stupid price, containers are relatively cheap, and it shouldn't cost a fortune to fit them out.
On the other hand, they are probably not as saleable as a catering van.

As far as I know you may have a van already, but I'll mention it anyway. Different areas have different rules and regs for roadside catering. Check with your local council.
Was all free and easy round here till a few years ago, until two competing ice cream van owners came to fistycuffs over a pitch, then the council introduced permits, for a nominal fee, which has now gone up a bit.
I know one van down by the coast paying £1200 a year to the council for their pitch. 5 years ago it was free.

Just noticed your not actually asking about roadside catering, but I ain't deleting that lot after the effort I put into writing it.

 

[S Goodman]

You may well need planning permission and also a street vendors licence. I know someone who sells coffee from the back of a van, on private land, who our council is imposing this upon. It's only fair really as you can't have any cowboy rocking up and retailing wherever they like.

 

[MOIC]

Electricity, gas, running water, ventilation, apart from the normal planning permission, fire safety, health regulations, council licence, need to be considered.

A fully equipped van will be similar cost and is mobile.. . . . . .and can be resold.