Where do you look for commerical kitchens for rent?

[peacemaker]

Hi guys,

I'm having a real hard time trying to find a commercial kitchen for rent. I'm happy to pay a bit more and rent a fitted kitchen or even just a unit that I can kit out myself. I don't need any frontage as this will be a delivery only business.

Where do you find these kinds of places? I'm having a real hard time via commercial agents as they all seem to list either industrial, retail or leisure businesses only.

As a secondary question, does anyone know if you must have A3 planning for a kitchen if it's just doing deliveries? I'm wondering if some of these units in industrial parks might be suitable but I'm not sure.

Thanks in advance!

 

[@aiteoconsulting]

Where are you based? There are are couple of food 'incubators' in and around London.

http://www.kitchup.co.uk

http://thefoodfoundry.uk/

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Can't you share with another business or are you open at competing times? When are you opening/delivering/

 

[peacemaker]

@aiteo I'm based in Nottingham currently and there is nothing like those London sites here unfortunately.

@OldWelshGuy I had that thought but we'll be open for lunch/dinner all week so it will be difficult to find someone who isn't also cooking then! Thanks though

 

[Deleted member 283937]

An A5 site could suit your needs.
I think it is worth investigating industrial parks. Phone your council and have a chat with them as to what you can or cannot do.

 

[peacemaker]

Thanks for the info, I think A5 is exactly what I need. Now I just need to find out how difficult it is to get that Calling the council and a couple of industrial parks this morning.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

@aiteo I'm based in Nottingham currently and there is nothing like those London sites here unfortunately.

@OldWelshGuy I had that thought but we'll be open for lunch/dinner all week so it will be difficult to find someone who isn't also cooking then! Thanks though

most takeaways only open evenings/

 

[peacemaker]

most takeaways only open evenings/

Yeah in the week, but on weekends we'll need to be open for lunch too.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Ah I see.How big an operation do you need? is a residential premises acceptable? you said you will be delivering.

 

[peacemaker]

Well I called the council and was told for what I plan I'm likely to need A5 (or A3) planning permission which rules out the industrial parks unfortunately. Apparently you can get away with a commercial kitchen under "general industrial" usage if it's not hot food for immediate delivery/consumption off premises.

I don't think I could do it in a residential premises no. Needs to be a kitted out kitchen really.

I'm now on every commercial agents mailing list in the area and have received one or two places but they are massively over-priced for what I need. The second you mention you need a restaurant premises the price goes way up. Shame because all I really need is the kitchen.

 

[ethical PR]

Have you spoken to the Council's business team about any units they manage?

Have you gone around to pubs and see if any have commercial kitchens they aren't using that you could rent.

I wouldn't just wait for estates to come back to you.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Thats a good point, I know of 4 pubs that have kitchens they are not using. there has to be others around

 

[peacemaker]

I haven't spoken to the council business team, didn't even know such a thing existed. I have been around a bunch of pubs in the city centre though and they all have their own food offering. I had the same thought as you that some might have an unused kitchen but so far no luck. I will keep visiting/calling pubs though as there must be somewhere!

 

[ethical PR]

If you can't afford a premises have you looked at alternatives such as food vans.

Do go back to your business plan and budget to see how your figures stack up. If you can't afford premises do you have a viable business model?