In order to start a business hiring out chocolate fountains for weddings and parties etc, would I need any qualifications in catering, would I need the council health inspector to visit my home, would I indeed be able to run the business from home, and would I need to have catering certificates or anything else?
Has anyone got any ideas of businesses that are easy to start and how to go about it? I've got £5,000 and I'm facing unemployment, thank you.
2007-02-06 23:54:16 · 4 answers · asked by My name's MUD 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Thank you, I am refering to a professional caterers fountain set up, they cost £1000+ and are not comparable to the £30 ones in Tesco and Woolworths. They cater for 200+ guests at parties or retirements etc. However it is still a gamble, and I have contacted the local authority who were most useless indeed and could offer no help, bizzarely.
2007-02-07 21:07:45 · update #1
You would need a health certificate and probably a visit from the health inspector. You are dealing with food here. You could run it from home with no problem. Go to a local wedding fare and see your competition first. You might find a niche there as well.
On the wedding side there are wedding favours that can be started quite easily. Have a look in your yellow pages and see what kind of things are offered - try and find a niche that you think you will be good at.
I have always thought that an ironing business - where you pick up clothes, iron them and then return them next day - is a good one. Just need an iron and a car.
Also Brits don't seem to have many dog walkers - but hate to leave the pets alone all day while at work.
2007-02-07 00:02:55 · answer #1 · answered by Biz Guru 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest you speak to the Environmental Health Dept. of your local council. They will be able to give you the gen straight from the horses mouth, and I'm sure they will be very helpful. There are so many pitfalls with food preparation and sale these days that it would be best to get it right straight off, rather than get half a story here, particularly in your circumstances. There is some simple guidance here, however:- www.oxford.gov.uk/files/seealsodocs/
2007-02-07 08:07:31 · answer #2 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Save your £5000 and get a job, meanwhile take a course in small business. Before you start any business you need to research your idea - competition demand etc.
2007-02-07 08:00:20 · answer #3 · answered by McQ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can buy chocolate fountains for £30 so I doubt people would rent one out, they would be more likely to buy one. I don't think there is a market for it.
2007-02-07 08:19:19 · answer #4 · answered by Cori 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋