Side business ideas

[Alan]

Hi, I'm looking forward to all the deeply sarcastic input to my quest.

So I have a bit of a 'yard' in my back garden, residential, side access. For the last 5 years my son stored his business stuff there, a couple of vans, two containers ( 1 x 10ft 1 x 20 ft ) and filled my single garage. But now he has moved out to a 'depot' due to growth and the containers are gone.

Thankfully I can park my motorhome round the back again and use my garage to store the normal junk, but that still leaves an expanse of hardstanding enough for about 5 more vehicles ( parked closely ).

To me it seems a shame not to 'leverage' this asset. And whilst I could apply for planning and build a small house there, I just don't want to do that in the near future.

So looking for any off the wall ideas to make use of this space.

 

[AllUpHere]

A space for 5 vehicles (parked closely) isn't much of a space. We tend to call it a driveway. To me, it seems like you have 5 too few cars.

 

[Alan]

I have a driveway at the front as well. I was thinking perhaps I should get myself some more cars, maybe a competition car of some kind, hill climb or sprint, maybe a classic car too.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Crack den ?

 

[fisicx]

Tradesmen around here pay to park in pub car parks.

Same with caravans and dormibiles (or motor homes in the modern parlance).

But that’s here in Aldershot. Things may be different in Surrey.

 

[AllUpHere]

Hill climbing is fun. The secret to enjoying yourself doing something like that is to have a car that's a bit crap. I had an Ariel atom and a Caterham, but they were both so good you couldn't have fun with them. To get them out of shape you had to be being really silly (to the point of suicide). I've known people with old bangers have much more fun. Go to any hill climb and you'll see loads of classics doing the course really slowly, and having great fun doing it.

 

[Martin Patfield]

Are you close to town or close enough walk to town where you can stick your driveway up on one of those sites where people pay you to park whilst they go to work, rather than giving councils or private car parking firms lots of money to park each week.

Don't be dissing Aldershot, nothing wrong with it. Just the same issues shared in all locations

 

[Alan]

Go to any hill climb and you'll see loads of classics doing the course really slowly, and having great fun doing it.

I did one in Bahrain in about 1980 in a VW Beetle. Bahrain only has one hill It was great fun. Maybe I could re live my youth and get a Beetle.

 

[AllUpHere]

I did one in Bahrain in about 1980 in a VW Beetle. Bahrain only has one hill It was great fun. Maybe I could re live my youth and get a Beetle.

An old banger, yes. A Beetle - no, that's taking it too far. The thing with classics is they were good in their day; Beetles have always been crap.

 

[peppermintlover]

If you are okay with entering the food industry, I think that space could be used as an open outdoor cafe. Those seem to be a trend today in order to boost the economy again.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

If you are okay with entering the food industry, I think that space could be used as an open outdoor cafe. Those seem to be a trend today in order to boost the economy again.

Second post mentioning the food industry completely unnecessarily. I can't wait to see what food industry related product you start spamming about soon!

Anyway, OP - I would say simple is best. Car parking for commuters (if location is appropriate), or car parking for either classic car/camper van/works van owners who need space for their second vehicles.

Or could you build some garages on there and rent them out? Relative of mine has a small gated plot of land with around eight garages on. Some of them are very old council style ones although he has knocked a couple down and rebuilt very simply in breezeblock....Think depending on the size he charges between £60 and £90 a month (this is up North) so he's yielding a good few grand a year from the lot. People have them for mixed use, someone I know stores his classic car in one, couple of tradespeople have them for storing tools & equipment in, some people just have them for storage of their old furniture and stuff they can't bear to throw away!

 

[WaveJumper]

If you are okay with entering the food industry, I think that space could be used as an open outdoor cafe. Those seem to be a trend today in order to boost the economy again.

No from today they are all back inside

 

[Alan]

An old banger, yes. A Beetle - no, that's taking it too far. The thing with classics is they were good in their day; Beetles have always been crap.

Any suggestions?

 

[Alan]

I would say simple is best. Car parking for commuters (if location is appropriate), or car parking for either classic car/camper van/works van owners who need space for their second vehicles.

Yes - probably the best plan. Just did some research on garage versus parking an to be frank the difference in rent is minimal, so I'l look at parking.

 

[Interestedobserver]

Assuming it's daily parking using the websites that promote that it will be sporadic and needs ongoing management and communication (unless you are considering leasing parking permits to locals on an annual basis) which would be a lot easier to manage and less stress

I would go for the idea of building garages or locating storage containers (if you are allowed). And renting them monthly/annually for storage - storage is in big demand right now

 

[MOIC]

Hydroponic tents and rent them out (not for weed).

You may end up using one yourself.

 

[Alan]

Hydroponic tents and rent them out (not for weed).

Seriously, what else gets grown in them?

 

[MOIC]

Strawberries, Blueberries . . . . . . & your own variety of tomatoes!

 

[japancool]

Berths for street hookers and their punters.

 

[Socio South West]

I don't have a clue where you are. but if you are in an area where there is a demand for parking, either daily or longer term, let the space for parking through something like JustPark

No capital.... easy start. easy stop. All the donkey work of booking and payment done for you - nice easy little earner, and if you are somewhere where parking costs an arm and a leg very easy to undercut the opposition.

If you are more remote, advertise it to park caravans or boats. Well priced parking is never on the market long.

 

[Alan]

An old banger, yes. A Beetle - no, that's taking it too far. The thing with classics is they were good in their day; Beetles have always been crap.

Bit of research, seems a Renault Clio 172 Cup circa 2002 - suitable cheap. powerful and light

 

[AllUpHere]

Bit of research, seems a Renault Clio 172 Cup circa 2002 - suitable cheap. powerful and light

Yes, perfect. Loads of people use an old 205 GTi. The Clio is a very similar feel.
Sorry, I've been meaning to reply to this thread again but know that once I start typing I'll end up doing at least 1000 words.