selling flowers outside a cementry

ikati5

In your opinion..

aliasojo

Yes, in my opinion. Such a shame the thread degenerated to this don't you think.

sharnad

you need to apply to the council for a street traders licence and pay the licence or consent fee if your application is approved

marywooyeah

aliasojo wrote: »

Yes, in my opinion. Such a shame the thread degenerated to this don't you think.

and so quickly as well - usually takes a couple of pages.

OP as another poster has said if it's done well it could be a viable business. I also fail to see how it's making money out of grief. People want to buy flowers and those who don't won't - you're not forcing anything onto them and as long as the prices are reasonable and flowers are good quality I can't see any downside. In fact, it's really good that OP has spotted a gap in the market in these hard economic times.

MessyMare

I think it's a lovely idea. My OH often forgets flowers when he visits his mother's grave and I often feel so bad about it but can't get anywhere to get some (he never tells me where we're going and I'm unfamiliar with the city). So long as it's done sensitively it's a great idea Not that it helps you answer your question but just wanted to say! I think the person trolling with their opinion needs to take a look at the irony of "you cannot choose to accept only the comments you wish to hear."

jexygirl

ikati5 wrote: »

I am as entitled to an opinion as you are, I too have lost family and friends and do not find it acceptable for someone to be standing at the cemetery gates with their hand out. I hope you will find that a license is very difficult to obtain.

Would you say the same about that handy flower shop often conveniently placed on the way into a hospital, or in the foyer - for surely they too are profiteering from someones pain, misery or even grief???

Its a basic business principle of Supply and demand, right time and place, and I think it would be a good idea to have a tastefully presented stall, perhaps traditionally themed, very close to, but perhaps not directly outside.
I, like many, have been to several funerals where I simply got an hour off work to go, and would have fully appreciated somewhere to get nice fresh flowers there, as time was limited.
Also often relatives or friends do not always live in the area, and travel only to attend, they would either buy at home and let them wilt in the car, or scurry round trying to find a non garage looking bunch in an area they do not know.
I think it is a good idea.

greenface

ikati5 wrote: »

I am as entitled to an opinion as you are, I too have lost family and friends .

Did you get people in to conduct the funeral ? cars ? vicar ? caterers ? solicitors . even florists, people do make money from hard times. You need a street sellers permit from your council they will check other local outlets and provide a "pitch" good luck

OneYorkshireLass

Street trading licences can be surprisingly expensive - e.g. Cornwall County Council = £780 p.a; Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council = £1120.
There may be application fees e.g. Brent Council = £72 and to amend a licence = £48.

It'd be best, if possible, to take out a 3 month licence to see how things go rather than committing to a whole year. Plus, I think you'd be better starting this type of business in summer - unless you like shivering in the cold waiting for customers.

Also, how will anyone know you're there? I assume most of your potential customers would pick up flowers before visiting the cemetery. Personally, I don't think it's a viable business (unless the cemetery is on a REALLY busy road), but good luck with it if you do decide to go ahead.

ryantcb

I was thinking of doing some street trading myself and this was a few years ago so maybe ive lost the plot along the way and it may change from council to council but as long as you are not stationary you dont need a licence.

Thats how they get away with selling roses at the road side and how they can just suddenly street sell on the apprentice. If you have fixed stall or cart then you need a license but keep it moving you do not.

OneYorkshireLass

ryantcb wrote: »

I was thinking of doing some street trading myself and this was a few years ago so maybe ive lost the plot along the way and it may change from council to council but as long as you are not stationary you dont need a licence.

Thats how they get away with selling roses at the road side and how they can just suddenly street sell on the apprentice. If you have fixed stall or cart then you need a license but keep it moving you do not.

That'd be classed as a pedlar who operate under the Pedlars Act 1871 and must obtain a pedlars certificate from the Police. I've no idea how this works in relation to how long you can stay in one place etc, but apparently they are £12.50 for a year.

The best thing for the OP to do would be to count how many people visit the cemetery over a few days (say, one weekday and one Sat/Sun), and how many people have flowers already. Maybe do some direct market research and ask people if they'd buy from someone selling flowers outside the gates.