Commercial Kitchen - help!

[Cloughie]

Hi everyone,

I had an idea for a new business a couple of weeks ago but am having troubles figuring out a part of it. The business will be a food related business so I need a decent kitchen to cook from.

My ideas are:

1. Rent a kitchen - perhaps from a pub that doesn't use their kitchen or maybe an existing commercial kitchen that isn't at full capacity. I've also considering finding perhaps a local cafe shop and asking to rent out their kitchen as my business will oprerate from 5PM through 11PM.

2. Set up my own commercial kitchen (maybe through taking a small industrial unit?). This is obviously going to be super pricey.

3. Rent a retail shopfront that either has a kitchen or can be used for a kitchen (having a walk in section could help the business and also the shop front could act as a form of advertising)

Number one is obviously the cheapest/lowest risk and will help keep start up fees lower.

So, I was simply thinking about calling around pubs and kitchens as my first port of call to see if anyone bites.

And perhaps calling a few commercial property agenst to see what they may suggest.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I have the business plan pretty much nailed down now other than somewhere to actually cook!

 

[filtuh.com]

Where are you based?

I'd be tempted to look for disused takeaway shop type place. The pub idea is a good one, but I can't see a pub in this climate not doing food.
I think you'd have more luck with a cafe, as you said they tend to be more of a morning and afternoon operation.

Also depends on how much storage space you need in the kitchen.

I would of course never suggest you rent a 1 room bedsit and kit it out, that would probably run foul of all kinds of business regs. There's always a friend's garage...

 

[Cloughie]

Thanks for the advice.

I am located in Cambridge.

I'm keen to present a really high quality profile with this company and much of my marketing revolves around us being a good food, clean cut company so finding some bedsit or a garage doesn't really fit with that.

A disused takeaway would be perfect and yeah I think you are right about the pub thing, a cafe type shop might work better.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Google Commercial kitchens for hire Cambridge?

This is in London
http://www.dephna.com/kitchen.php?gclid=CLSJi4f0-aMCFVf-2AodJ02fJQ

 

[Cloughie]

Done, but didn;t get anything

 

[mackenziescafe]

A couple of ideas

At the moment there are plenty of closed down sandwich bars/cafes which if the landlord has changed the locks on the previous tenant may still be equiped and ready to move in if you are prepared to take over the lease and clean the place (and equipment).

There are also a surprising number of pubs that have commercial kitchens but do not use them or at least do not use them all day or in the evenings so a friendly pub landlord may help you out.

The key thing to be aware of is that the premises you use needs to be registered with the dept of environmental health and the correct usage/planning permission needs to be granted by your local council.

Choosing a premises that has already been used for the purpose will mean all the premissions have already been granted.

 

[patientlady]

You will struggle with the pub idea long term! Many pubs change hands with the wind!