Small business sale of Alcohol at UK festivals/events

[SethElton]

Hi everyone,

There have been similair questions posted on here regarding this issue, but i would love afew responses that are catered directly to my questions.

I am planning on starting up a small mobile cocktail business, serving only one type of drink at first. Nothing fancy, but we have a very good idea that we think can work.

Afew questions:

For the sale of alcohol at festivals/events is a personal licence suitable? And do i need to obtain accredited qualification?

Do different festivals/events have different rules on the sale of alcohol?

And finally would i need to obtain a seperate food licence if i plan to combine food and alcohol together? i.e. blueberries, ice-cream or spices.

I have done some research on these issues, but it can all be a bit confusing. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Many Thanks

Seth

 

[Scalloway]

A personal licence is an accredited qualification.

The rules for different festivals would be up to the local licensing authority and the festival organisers

This site seems to have a lot of information for the type of business you are planning. This page has the requirements for a food business.

https://www.ncass.org.uk/mobile-catering-home/content/get-legal/start-up-legal-checklist

 

[SethElton]

Hi Scalloway,

Thanks for the reply. I will surely look into it!

Seth

 

[Pete hendry]

Hi OP,

I have worked and managed many festival bars,

So coming from experience,

Your personal Licence allows you to become the DPS, and permit sales of alcohol under your guidance. Meaning training, measures, serving drunks etc etc... Your staff become your problem. You will however need a temporary events licence.. Similar to premises licence... From the local council permitting you to sell alcohol at the event... This is just a formality at festivals as they are expecting it.

Yes, every event has different rules.. All depending on what has been agreed with landowner, council and suppliers/promoters. The land owner usually doesn't care as long as everything is cleaned up at the end.... Councils may put kerfews on music/alcohol timings due to surrounding factors.. But they may also give 24hr licence.,.. The kicker is suppliers and promoters.. The big companies tend to pay big bucks to have exclusive rights to sell a brand a an event... Doesn't mean there isn't room for the little guy but it comes down to some negotiation with the organiser and they will want there cut too.

A food licence is required for any food handling... All it is, is a food hygiene certificate and allowing YOUR local council around your van to make sure you are equipped for food... So hand wash basins, fridges (don't forget the hot sun at festivals), cleaning areas and cleaning materials.. And least of all fresh running water.

Any more questions give me a shout.

 

[MBE1]

On large shows etc also expect to have to pay for a site up to 6-8 months in advance, IF you can get considered. Many organisers will limit the numbers offering drinks etc per show and will naturally consider a more established company.

Not impossible to start, but very awkward.

 

[The Byre]

Pete Hendry covered most points. Remember that you will have to book your stand about one year in advance, usually with a deposit and you will have to have various types of insurance, depending on the conditions laid down by the local authorities and the organisers.

 

[SethElton]

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for all the responses. Especially Pete, much appreciated. Making me think long and hard about how/why and if i will start this up!

I have never seen an idea like mine at a festival before, hopefully that will mean they go for it.

I suppose the best way to see if it works is just to go for it... Right?

 

[Liv-rose]

Hi guys,

First I want to say thanks, I've been trawling the net for a while now trying to get answers to these sort of questions so this thread has been really helpful!

Just wanted to ask a few more questions in the hope that someone can help me.

To give you some background we're looking to take our thriving pub business on the road and want to get into a few festivals, we're not hugely concerned about which ones, at this time it's more about trying to understand how it works and look at the feasibility of it. We would want to have a small-med pitch selling a small and simple selection of alcohol e.g. one lager, a couple of ales, a couple of ciders and some spirits.

Does anyone know what the deal is in terms of suppliers with alcohol? From experience I feel like there's usually only a few types of draught drinks available throughout a whole festival or event so I'm wondering how it would work if we were running a bar. Would we have to sell a specific beer for example?

So many questions, this is making my head spin!

Thanks.

 

[The Byre]

The organiser decides what can and cannot be sold. For example, at T-in-the-Park, you have to sell Tenants (for obvious reasons!)

 

[patientlady]

it may take time to get into a festival! People pay a lot of money for there pitches not just a few hundred pounds. Generally if a pitch becomes available it's because the previous person caught a cold the previous year! Not always of course. Do your homework, work out how many drinks you need to sell to break even, and how many you need to sell to make it worth your while. Check whether drinks can be taken into the festival as this will make a difference to potential sales. Find out if you are the sole supplier of your product as well. Check where you will be situated, there are good spots and very very poor pitches. Good luck with this . I know a very experienced operator and he definitely had quite a few bad festivals this year as much of the stock was sent back to his suppliers. Weather related p/l