Start a 'cottage industry'... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

weebull43

Hi! A few friends and I would like to join forces and form some sort of community craft co-op centred around food: outside catering; jams chutneys and preserves; handmade chocolates, cakes and biscuits...the list is growing all the time. Would any1 happen to know which bits of legislation would affect us? We're all food hygiene cert holders, but believe we'd need to get our kitchens licensed....

JimmyTheWig

I've no idea, weebull43, but just wanted to say I think this is a great idea. Fingers crossed you can get through the legislation, etc.

wigglebeena

I believe in some areas you can 'rent' time in a licensed kitchen, which may or may not work out cheaper than having your own kitted out appropriately.

Cordy

weebull43 wrote: »

Hi! A few friends and I would like to join forces and form some sort of community craft co-op centred around food: outside catering; jams chutneys and preserves; handmade chocolates, cakes and biscuits...the list is growing all the time. Would any1 happen to know which bits of legislation would affect us? We're all food hygiene cert holders, but believe we'd need to get our kitchens licensed....

I'd ask at your local council, maybe the Environmental Health or Trading Standards departments could help?

lewis70

Hi
we run a small food business from home which is registered with the local EHO . They are there to help and will give you good information and help for free. The main things are a wash hand basin , easy clean surfaces and good record keeping . Pick up the phone and arrange a visit , They don't bite .

lewis70

Oh also , look at the old WI markets they are a co-op and have "special rules " that let them make food to sell with out having to have a registered Kitchen . You dont have to be part of the WI . Or a Women . They have changed the name to Country Markets . and have a web site


Hope this helps

gingerandrubarb

Hi,
If your hoping to do niche cards take a look at this ladies handmade cards http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolLeeDesigns?section_id=5070195&page=2 in all honesty i have never been interested in handmade cards purely because they all seem the same and you can get handmade cards for 29p in the card warehouse in my town centre, ....however,
Once i saw this ladies cards i could not stop laughing and went and bought a bundle of them, everyone i have given them too have also laughed and found them funny and asked where they where from x

scall177

Hi all!

I started my own business making handmade favour boxes and I`m hoping to expand into invitations and the usual other stuff for weddings/parties. I started with my own site from vistaprint and I`ve recently taken up a spot at Alnwick market on a Saturday and Newcastle Quayside market on a Sunday. Can`t afford wedding fayres at the moment so thought I`d give this a try first. I`m making enough to cover costs and a little bit more at the minute but hopefully things will get better. I`m going to make Christmas decorations and Halloween:eek: stuff as well. Its been a lot of hard work and long nights but I`m hoping it`ll be woth it!

cakelover_2

Hi

Hoping someone will be able to help me. I have been looking into selling handmade things such as jewellery, maybe things like stitched items etc. I have heard you should get products liability just incase someone stabs themselves in the eye with an earring for some reason then tries to sue you or something. Have been looking on business link about it and it is recommended to get the insurance. I'm sure there are people out there who don't have insurance but I wouldn't want to do anything without it now. The cheapest I have seen so far is £71 a year :eek: My plan initially was to make some stuff then try and sell it. I'm not expecting to make big bucks, just some side money, but it seems I would have to pay out more money than I thought before I can start and there is no saying I will earn it all back. There are just so many hoops to go through. Does anyone have any experience selling homemade items? I am already registered as self employed so I don't need to worry about that part.
Any help much appreciated.

tazmac25

Hi Cakelover

have a look at these people for public liability insurance

http://www.a-n.co.uk/air

There are a few questions you need to answer yes to i.e have you been comissioned to make/sell a piece
Have you already sold stuff etc ...

And as I remember its about £30 a year for 5 mill public liability

HTH

Tazmac25