Have a sweet tooth and love to run a sweet venture as well? Then what can be better than running an ice cream van business in the UK?
It’s worth investing in this business. This is because this business not only allows you to serve delightful treats to other people.
Also, through it, you will be able to make a remarkable profit.
The government rules and regulations make many people stay away from this business. Also, they find the process of getting the permits long.
Are you stressed about the same? We can assure you that the process is not that tough!
Once you know all the norms and processes for permits, this business will succeed in impressing you.
Wanna know how to start and run an ice cream van business?
Then, here’s everything for you in detail…go through it!
Ice Cream Van Business – The Rules And Regulations
Want to initiate your ice cream van business? Then, certain rules and regulations needed to be followed.
They include getting the required licenses as well as the permits. Some of the rules and regulations for this business are-
1. Registration With The Local Council
Contact your local authority. He will keep your business recorded in their office register.
You don’t have to visit their office for the same.
Only enter their website and connect for the same. Do it twenty-eight days before you want to begin your business.
Once, requested for registration, the department will send one of their local authority to examine your ice cream van.
They will give your business a Food Hygiene Rating.
Since the rating is about food hygiene, you need to get acquainted with food safety practices.
Also, you need to apply them to your ice cream van business beforehand.
2. Get Permissions For Your Ice Cream Making Venue
Some people sell ice cream to other companies while others sell self-made ice creams. If you fall in the second category, choose a proper venue for making your ice creams.
It may be your home or some other place. But, wherever it may be, you need to get permission for the same.
3. Register Yourself As A Self-employed Person
Registering yourself as self-employed is required. It is mandatory before starting your own ice cream van business.
It’s important because only after this registration, will you be able to self-assess your annual tax as per your business profits.
4. Get The Permit Of The Food Premises
Does your business involve preparing any product made of egg or dairy? It’s essential to get a permit from the Food Premises.
To get the food premises approval, you need to contact the local council. They send a person to your ice cream van for a food check.
The person also checks if the temperature of the van is ideal for storing ice cream or not.
The local authority will guide you on how to use your license while running the business.
The government site of the UK allows you to apply for a food check of your van and its products for the areas in –
- England.
- Wales.
- Scotland.
- Ireland.
5. Get The Street Trading Licence For Your Business
Selling ice cream on the streets of England and Wales is possible only if you have a street trading license.
Only the holders of Pedlar’s certificate get the advantage of selling products in these places without this license.
However, they too have to apply to find out the same. The application will record your declaration for selling the ice creams in your preferred areas.
However, the decision will solely be taken by the Local Council on whether you are allowed to sell the products in those areas or not.
Ice Cream Van Business – Some Miscellaneous Rules And Regulations To Pursue
- Note the Local Council’s advice about your business and follow his manual guidance.
- Go for a HACCP plan. Do it for the food safety of your ice cream van business. It ensures that all of the food items involved with your business remain free from all types of biological, chemical, and physical dangers.
- In case you need to employ staff for your business, always go through risk assessments. You can do the same by visiting the Executive website on health and safety.
- Educate yourself with the rules and regulations of the ice cream van business chimes. The rules include using the loudspeaker only between 12 pm to 7 pm, keeping the chime sound equivalent to or lower than 80 decibels, etc.
Ice Cream Van Business – The Cost for Licence
Delivering a street trading license always demands a fee to be paid. The exact fee amount depends on the place where you want to trade your ice cream.
For example, trading in Newham demands 75 pounds only for the application.
Also, to keep the license running, you have to pay 25 pounds/week Can’t afford to pay the whole amount altogether? No problem, break them into monthly instalments and pay them.
Open A Franchise Or Establish Your Own Ice Cream Business – What to Do?
Do whatever you like. You may open a franchise and sell the ice cream of any established company. Or, you can sell self-made ice creams and expand them gradually.
People usually go with the first option because it gives them fewer obstructions in the way to starting their ice cream van business.
However, starting your own branded ice cream by preparing it on a platform you think is suitable is not a bad idea either.
Yeah, it takes some time to get a permit and all. And, once you’re settled for your business?
Nothing will disturb you anymore Another reason why people often choose the first option is that this option is less expensive.
You don’t have to spend much for it other than the franchise fee. However, a new ice cream van business demands a lot of money.
It includes the start-up costs, the product-making costs, and the presentation of licenses.
Also, the franchise royalties payment per month will be added to the ice cream van business expense.
Ice Cream Van Business – New or Old?
It’s all up to your choice and the money you have. No matter whether your business is old or new, purchase the ice cream business van that serves your purpose better.
Ensure that all the needed equipment is attached to it.
If you need to know about the customizable features and use them, the new one is the best for it.
An already equipped franchise ice cream van ranges from 5000 pounds to 13000 pounds.
However, if the van comprises your self-made ice cream, the price range will convert into 3000 pounds to 39000 pounds.
Ice Cream Van Business – How To Catch The Right Pitch For Your Ice Cream Sell
In the UK, selling ice cream from your van requires finding a pitch first. And, finding a pitch is one of the toughest challenges for the ice cream man.
To catch the right pitch you have to find the right website and start surfing. Also, you can sell your food items at various weddings and festivals.
Ice Cream Van Business – The Overall Costs Involved
Running an ice cream van business requires a high expenditure. The cost involves that of –
- The Ice Cream Van and its equipment.
- Renting a pitch.
- Buying cost.
- The ingredients cost.
- The insurance of the ice cream van.
- MOTs.
- Licensing fees.
- Franchise fees.
- Containers and utensils.
- Petrol.
- Staff salaries.
Ice Cream Van business, being a lucrative vehicle business, is being joined by several people today.
However, they must remember that they can only sell ice cream in summer. During winter, nearly zero ice cream is sold.
So, they move to other places in the UK, where they feel less cold. To cheer up during winter, you can add sweets, crisps, drinks etc to your menu.
FAQS
1. What are the best ice cream brands in the UK?
The most popular UK ice cream brands are –
- Mackies.
- Grom.
- Waitrose.
- Ben & Jerry’s.
- Haagen Dazs.
Mackie is famous for its traditional indulging dairy ice cream. Grom, Waitrose, Ben & Jerry’s, and Haagem Dazs are famous for Gelato Al Caramello Salato, Chocolate plus furnish sea salt ice cream.
And, Haagen Dazs’ popularity is mainly due to its pralines and cream.
2. How many ice cream vans are there in the UK?
The answer is five thousand ice cream vans. Some of them run on the road to sell self-made ice creams whereas others open their franchises by tying up with big companies.
Conclusion
So, have you understood the process of starting and running the UK ice cream van business? It’s not easy. But, it’s not hard either.
So, go through all these rules and regulations and find an easy way to start your new profitable ice cream van business.
