Business idea help and funding North West UK

Julius1984

Hi
I'm just wondering if anyone could help and direct me towards any form of business help and grants that I'd maybe be entitled to?
I'm currently unemployed but want to open a cafe/takeaway selling mainly wholesome, fresh Caribbean food. There's no competition in my area and also the food will be home cooked, on the whole healthy food.
I'm obviously hoping that I can get some help via grants ect as I don't want to be going into this with huge debts before I've even started.
Also just wanted peoples advice as to what I should do, what help I could get and any general business advice as there is so much online it becomes a little daunting and I guess it's better to ask people who've been there themselves!
Thanks in advance

DKLS

Not much in the way of grants available at the moment, and even if you do they usually come with a catch or 3.

How about starting with a hot food stall to test your business model, there was a great pop up Jerk Chicken stall close to work, selling wraps and salad boxes, he was working the pop up sites in order to build the business and eventually open a Caribbean restaurant.

Bet it would go down well at carboots, farmers markets and antique fairs as well. Especially when your only competition is a dogdy burger van serving gristle and lips burgers.

[Deleted User]

DKLS wrote: »

Not much in the way of grants available at the moment, and even if you do they usually come with a catch or 3.

How about starting with a hot food stall to test your business model, there was a great pop up Jerk Chicken stall close to work, selling wraps and salad boxes, he was working the pop up sites in order to build the business and eventually open a Caribbean restaurant.

Bet it would go down well at carboots, farmers markets and antique fairs as well. Especially when your only competition is a dogdy burger van serving gristle and lips burgers.

Not so easy. So many people have taken the idea and all of the pitches. I think it may work well if you live somewhere that isn't as developed and so hasn't been hit with the new craze.

P.s - I have a burger van or two and we don't sell gristle or lips and we do have a diverse menu to include Indian and Jerk Chicken - it's been very hard! :cool:

Percy1983

Is there no competition as there is no market? have you done any research on that front? it could be worth giving away free samples locally and getting feedback.

If its a good idea then you will most probably have to take on some debts and pay it back with profits, there is a risk to most businesses its just if somebody has a good idea and is willing to tale the risk with it.

I will say personally it sounds a great idea and I would come and have a look for sure.

Julius1984

assj wrote: »

Not so easy. So many people have taken the idea and all of the pitches. I think it may work well if you live somewhere that isn't as developed and so hasn't been hit with the new craze.

P.s - I have a burger van or two and we don't sell gristle or lips and we do have a diverse menu to include Indian and Jerk Chicken - it's been very hard! :cool:

That's the thing I think there's a niche in the market for it. There's only one other place and the food isn't the best there but people go there because it's their only option rather than travel over 30 miles to Manchester ect

Julius1984

Percy1983 wrote: »

Is there no competition as there is no market? have you done any research on that front? it could be worth giving away free samples locally and getting feedback.

If its a good idea then you will most probably have to take on some debts and pay it back with profits, there is a risk to most businesses its just if somebody has a good idea and is willing to tale the risk with it.

I will say personally it sounds a great idea and I would come and have a look for sure.

There's one place but the food really isn't great BUT people pay their extortionate prices and also eat it because it's either a case of buy it from there or you have to travel into Manchester or other cities. It has been known to have a 3 hour delivery waiting time and the place I live is very diverse with plenty of Indian and Pizza and Kebab places but none that really serve good home cooked food and something that compared to the rest is quite nutritious and more like home cooking as far as fresh ingredients and no additives and so forth

I was thinking about holding something somewhere with a small range of the food we'd be serving and gaging peoples opinions and I know I'm bound to say it but we did buy food from the competition and it's just bland and very salty and the portions are measly and very expensive but obviously they're charging the prices that big cities would because they know people will pay it to save travelling out of town and getting that "just like mum cooks it" taste

I'm that confident in it I'd be willing to get into debt but like any sensible person it would make more sense to exhaust funding and grant options first before going head first and I have registered for the Barclays business course and intend to sign up to as many as I can. I'm not going into this blind and know it will be a challenge but I'm willing and just need a few pointers and I guess like everyone I'll learn as I go but hopefully with the benefits and of course profits :rotfl:

Percy1983

Sounds like you are taking it seriously and are being realistic, I can't point to any grants but that doesn't mean there not there.

I hope the courses help you out and really wish you the best of luck with this.

CKhalvashi

Julius1984 wrote: »

That's the thing I think there's a niche in the market for it. There's only one other place and the food isn't the best there but people go there because it's their only option rather than travel over 30 miles to Manchester ect

Whilst I can see this is a possibility, you'll need market research to back it up.

Looking at the cafe side (we owned a cafe, and currently own a bar), there can be £80k of equipment in there, so looking at cost and return with a bank is going to be a tall order.

I think the only way you're going to get anywhere, is to look at grants (I'll take a look in the morning when I'm sober), and also look at the funding for lending and schemes that individual banks are offering.

After expenses, you'll be looking at a 10-15% margin, so this needs to be taken into account, too.

CK

Savvy_Sue

How old are you?

Also have you thought that the competition might make it bland because not all the punters want it too spicy? DH enjoys it, but I often find Caribbean food takes the roof of my mouth off ...

CKhalvashi

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

How old are you?

Also have you thought that the competition might make it bland because not all the punters want it too spicy? DH enjoys it, but I often find Caribbean food takes the roof of my mouth off ...

Which is why I find that it may be best to offer spice as an option, if possible. The cafe we eat in 2-3 times a week (not the one we owned) can mix/match to our tastes.

It's the same with us cooking at home; I'll cook in 1 pan, then add for me and OH afterwards, as our DD's don't like some of the spices we use. This is our national food (not Carribean), and I unfortunately have no experience with Carribean food.

CK

DKLS

assj wrote: »

Not so easy. So many people have taken the idea and all of the pitches. I think it may work well if you live somewhere that isn't as developed and so hasn't been hit with the new craze.

P.s - I have a burger van or two and we don't sell gristle or lips and we do have a diverse menu to include Indian and Jerk Chicken - it's been very hard! :cool:

I wouldnt imagine it would be easy, but there is always a market for good food, prepared and cooked with love.

P.s Glad to hear it, I hope you use decent bread as well

This is the stall holders site that i used, may give the OP a few ideas.