Any advice would be great

[littlelaura]

I've been thinking of buying the business & taking over the lease for the shop i currently work inn in October but am still unsure if to take on that responsibility.
so in the meantime i've been thinking of other options than sighing up to a lease.

I don't drive so am unable to go around grooming mobile.
So my options are either buy a caravan, renovate it into a dog groomers & situate it on my drive or renovate my garage into a dog groomers.

I've spoke with my neighbours & they've all said they would be fine with it, I explained i would only be having a car or a person calling once a hour & would be 6 to 8 clients a day.

So if anyone can help me my questions are do I need planning permission or need to follow any regulations before renovating either of these ideas, are they the same for both or...?

I already have insurance to cover the dogs welfare & also my contents, would I need insurance for clients coming onto my property aswell?

Do I contact my local council about planning permission, even if am unsure of which one I plan to do yet?

Thanks

 

[Heyes]

There are various issues to consider, for which a good start will be to speak with your local council and ask them about operating a business from a residential address.

You'll need various insurance, not the least of which will be public liability.

 

[estwig]

I work in householder planning, mainly house extensions and loft conversions that kinda thing, I been doing this forever.

Neighbours always say they are fine with it, they're going to aren't they, you're stood on their doorstep asking them. Once things get going, that's when the sh*tty letters to the council start flying around, be careful.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Do you own the house or rent it, if rented you need landlord's permission

Landlords may well have properties that they don't advertise like 2nd floor over a shop, and willing to give a licence rather than a lease, so more control for them, Your planning department may have a list of landlords worth trying

 

[littlelaura]

Do you own the house or rent it, if rented you need landlord's permission

Landlords may well have properties that they don't advertise like 2nd floor over a shop, and willing to give a licence rather than a lease, so more control for them, Your planning department may have a list of landlords worth trying

Owned house

 

[Heyes]

Owned house

If you have a mortgage, it'll be wise to check with the mortgagee.

 

[JamaC]

I don't drive so am unable to go around grooming mobile.

Why not make a plan to acquire your driving license and/or a car?

 

[fisicx]

Hi @littlelaura.

Forget taking over the business. Learn to drive, go mobile and save on the garage conversion.

The lady who does our cats is mobile. Must be doing ok as she buys a new car every year.

 

[littlelaura]

I've tryed driving lessons afew times & i'm absolutely terrible at it & i hate it, plus I've known a lot of dogs that have been in a mobile van before & then been scared to go back in the next time. I think a mobile van is quiet claustrophobic

 

[fisicx]

Do you have to do them in the van? Can’t you bring the table into the house?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I don't drive

So learn to drive!

I've spoke with my neighbours & they've all said they would be fine with i

Until you do it! Will you need planning permission? Speak to your council.

I've been thinking of buying the business & taking over the lease for the shop

This should be the last resort and don not even think about it until you understand the costs, the property lease and sought accounting and legal advice.

 

[littlelaura]

I could go into houses to groom but from past experience not many people like them 2 be groomed in house because all the hair gets everywhere aswell as I don't drive to go round houses.

It would take me a long time to get my driving licence & am needing something sorted before October when the shop I work in will be sold.

It's no problem really to convert my garage into a groomers as my boyfriend & dad are both builders so would only need to buy the materials, just not sure what regulations I would need to go by to do this

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

You could do an intensive course and get a license in a week.

 

[Porky]

Laura
Obviously the shop where you are does have the advantage that existing clients know where you are. Also they may feel more confident taking their dog to a dog grooming parlour shop than to a caravan at someone’s house. Would they walk or drive extra distance to your house? They might worry is the caravan heated or if their beloved pooch will get the same TLC. I’m not a dog owner but some I know treat them like a child. So a loss of clients on a move is also a consideration.

Also you would have some initial cost buying and converting a caravan and likewise your garage which I’m betting probably won’t get the planning permission but you won’t know until you try, you could always apply I guess and even if granted you don’t have to proceed if you don’t want to, it’s on the back burner.

You could ask the current landlord of the shop if they will allow you the lease but with a break clause after say 24mths. So if you can’t make it viable you can exit the lease. In other words cap your liability at 24x rent. You still need to consider rates/heat/light and your other overheads so draw up a basic business plan.

The right deal on the shop, as it’s already in use as a grooming parlour could work out less initially as you won’t have Acquisition/ conversion costs at your house but appreciate you would save not paying rent. But it’s all relative, if you end up with less clients at your home and a big initial conversion cost it could be a number of years before you see any financial advantage and you have all the hassle on your door step. At least with a shop you can finish for the day and get a clear break.

I think you need to run the numbers but if it were me, on balance, I might be tempted to maintain the status quo where you are and cut the best deal I can with the landlord with the shortest period break clause I could get.

Good luck