Ice cream business..

barrymung

As mentioned in another thread I'm looking for something for t'other half to do part time, on an as and when basis. I'd wondered about finding a pitch or two and selling ice creams at the weekends.

has anyone done this? Any advice?

Thanks all!

sgcfc2007

This is how Duncan Bannatyne started.

His autobiography is well worth a read.

Toon

I've just finished his autobiography and that's the first think I thought of when I saw "ice cream business"

isayoldchap

barrymung wrote: »

As mentioned in another thread I'm looking for something for t'other half to do part time, on an as and when basis. I'd wondered about finding a pitch or two and selling ice creams at the weekends.

has anyone done this? Any advice?

Thanks all!

barrymung
Having done this for 20 years now and had family doing it for over 35 years,
I hope you don't expect too much out of this venture for the other half.

I have yet to read the book,but will have a browse.Not sure if anyone can sell ice cream.I'm fussy who works with me.Females ar generally acceptable
as they may have a more inviting character,wheras on those sunny days and long ones too,some staff will moan after only a few hours as the pressure will get to them.I try to avoid nose pickers and too much make up artists.

Where we are in South London for the weekends,apart from April,have been
horrible.Problem is that companies may not also want your services as other staff may be chosen first.

With tighter controls from the borough councils more and more Env.Trading inspectors are around to move you on and if necessary take your vehicle.
The police forces also have hot spots were they work with these guys and
a visit to the magistrates court is a on going thing these days.
You could apply for a trading licence but usually there will be a queue.These
are not cheap.You need to work it out on the average of the good days against the bad ones.Forget about the guy who reminds you that today you must be taking a fortune.There will be plenty of days when he's not around.
Why?Because those people never go out unless it's sunny/hot.

Usually a complaint from a shop or another licenced mobile trader etc will trigger the necessary action.

Health and Hygiene also play a part in this game.You may want to sit the
council's day course if you haven't obtained your certificates yet.

Then there's the income tax and if necessary the VAT to deal if Self employed.Of course if you are employed then the PAYE.

Add to that Liabilility insurance about £150-£200 pa.All other associated running costs of the vehicle,parking and premises.

Hope you don't tread on anyone's toes.Good luck

barrymung

sgcfc2007 wrote: »

This is how Duncan Bannatyne started.

His autobiography is well worth a read.

Just read his book and that's what made me consider it!

I'm not expecting this to be as successful as he was. I'm just after a business that the wifey can run part time to make a bit of extra money.

As an aside a neighbour of a friend runs an ice cream business. Started in exactly the same way as Bannatyne. He now runs 8 vans of his own and has recently bought a competing business that has given him a further five!

barrymung

Isayoldchap,

The idea was to get hold of a hand cart and find a pitch on private land, say a local shopping village.