The set up costs can range from a couple of hundred pounds to hundreds of thousands, depending on what you want to do. Related:What is the difference between a sole proprietorship, partnership, Corporation, or LLC? However, you may still be . Many charge fixed fees, others want a percentage of your sales, and some a mixture of the two. Once you have your licence, you can fill in an online form on the. PDF The Ultimate Mobile Coffee Business Plan: On a Budget - Premierline or Corpnetcan do the These include: Licencing is the key legality you need to adhere to when starting and managing your own mobile bar business. Make them really easy and clear to read. Whether that be starting up or getting on top of your compliance and marketing. Not to mention the amount of your takings they will be handling. A mobile bar can be hired with or without bartenders, although you are likely to get more business if you provide bartenders. Dont forget to include soft drinks and tea and coffee. Many bartenders wanting to open their own mobile bar company, frequently ask Do I need a licence for a mobile bar? Doing a great job can get you far. Do I Need a Licence For a Mobile Bar UK? - Spin and Shake A TEN can be applied for online and costs 21 (at the time of writing) . Safe & legal start up checklist - NCASS We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Weve put together a guide to everything you need to know about running a successful mobile bar, from gaining alcohol licences to choosing the right catering insurance to taking on staff. While we do our best to keep this information fully up-to-date, its very difficult to stay on top of the changes for every state. If you have experience in the industry and enjoy the work, this could be a very rewarding and profitable career decision. Samples. But in the rush to get your business up and running in time for the summer events season, it might get forgotten. Registration is different by location, and you may need a state license or county license, and sometimes both. Offline vs online marketing which is better for your mobile catering business? Where do you see the business in 6, 12 months, 2, 4 years etc. I would suggest the 3m x 3m industrial-grade gazebo as this is the average size pitch for events. Take card payments. Finally, choose the right catering insurance to cover your vehicle, fittings, generator and stock. In most cases, you can bartend as long as you have received the necessary training, but when you start supplying alcohol, you would definitely need to acquire a license for your business. In California, this requires 400 school training hours. Marketing is essential to boosting your clientele. Do I Need a Business License for My Company? - NerdWallet This will help you to really think about what your business means, does and how it will operate logistically and financially before you dive in and waste precious time and money. Alcohol is hugely popular all year round at a range of events. Next identify the people who have a need for these benefits. 5.50 take lots of 50ps! There are a couple of ways to approach costing: One of the advantages of having a mobile bar means that you can move to where the events are and are not fixed in one area. How to start a mobile bar business - Eventunity What equipment do i need for a mobile cocktail bar, Boost Your Branding with Edible Cocktail Toppers at Your Next Event, Bar Hire Cost Analysis for Events Your Guide to Budgeting, Best Bar Hire Options for Your Next Event, Birmingham Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Brighton Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Bristol Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Cambridge Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Essex Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Kent Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, London Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Manchester Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Oxford Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Slough Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Surrey Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Watford Mobile bar, mixologist or bartender hire, Mobile Bar ( can be an LED bar or a Portable Flair Station ), Medium sized van to carry the bar and the equipment, A storage/warehouse to store all the alcohol. 06 | Costs. Are mobile bars profitable? Electrologist License. Do I know what drives my target audience? Your email address will not be published. In this article, I will explain in more detail, what alcohol/liquor licenses and permits are needed for a mobile beer truck in both the UK & US. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Street Food Central is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. To get this, you must first gain an accredited qualification to show you understand licensing laws and your social responsibilities in terms of alcohol sales. How do I apply for an alcohol licence? You must do some thorough research into events you could attend and the best UK cities to visit to have a high turnout for your mobile business. These cookies help us gather information about website usage. Alcohol lasts for a long time so unused stock going to waste (like with food) is less of an issue. You can get a free online quote on there website here. Your first starting point is getting yourself a Personal License. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. Equipment Insurance. And lastly, dont forget to make sure everythings covered with catering insurance. A3 The A3 designation covers restaurants and . Once you receive this qualification you can then apply for a personal alcohol license. See the full disclaimer and privacy statement. Mobile bartending, also known as portable bartending, involves taking a mobile bar to indoor or outdoor venues and selling alcohol. Set up social media pages and promote them from your bar. Options include: Limited Company 6. There is nothing worse than running out when people are still thirsty! So you may be wondering. Best Bar Hire Options for Your Next Event The bar is often the focal point of any event, providing a space for guests to socialise, Copyright 2021-2023 Spin and Shake Mobile Bar Hire London Company Number 13145369 All Rights Reserved. The short answer is definitely yes! Mobile bars are perfect for ad-hoc events or venues where there are limited existing facilities to serve drinks. As a start-up business having a well-defined target market is key in order to help compete with larger and more established businesses. As a personal licence holder, you can apply for up to 50 TENs a year (at 21 per TEN), There must be at least 24hrs between TENs at the same location, Each event notice can last up to 168hrs (7 days), Any one event can have up to 500 at all times on site (including staff), Bottle openers & corkscrews (easy to put one down or misplace so have a few), Lights (if its an evening or dark a day), Waste and recycling bins (make sure these are hidden as they are unsightly), Fridges or buckets to chill drinks with ice. 1 bartender for every 75 guests (when only serving beer and wine), 1 bartender for every 50 guests (for a full bar). There are a few other bits of business admin you need to complete before you take your mobile bar on tour. From my experience at both indoor and outdoor events many lend themselves perfectly to having mobile bars serving at them. A mobile bar can be anything from a trestle table transported in the boot of a car to an all-singing, all-dancing fitted trailer. A premises license is required a previously mentioned, which will have to be applied from the local council and located from the address where you are storing the alcohol. Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. This licensing helps ensure food-service establishments are following health and safety requirements and keeping the public safe. #2 Hi Danny You will need public liability insurance, a personal license from your local council, you may also need to obtain a temporary premises licence as well. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Under your supervision, non-licensed individuals can sell alcohol on a licensed premises, provided they're over-eighteen (and know how to make a good margarita). Are there enough people who fit my criteria? Well send you a link to a feedback form. These are some of the most common business licenses, but there may be specific licensing that isn't listed. A resale certificate only allows a business to not pay sales tax for items being resold, and sales tax will still need to be paid for supplies or equipment. Terms & Conditions | Privacy & Cookie Policy, Award winning mobile cocktail bar company, based in London and operating all over the UK - servicing over 500 events every year. Whether you choose a mobile truck or bar you are going to need storage for all your equipment and/or truck. You can get mobile hand washing units which you fill with hot water and stay warm for a period of hours. The Main Advantages of a Mobile Bar Business: 1) High Demand In the UK we love a drink, and there is likely to be constant demand at shows and events. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. cocktails. A resale certificate (sometimes referred to as a sellers permit) allows a business to purchase inventory, and instead of paying the sales tax to their vendor, they charge the sales tax to the end-user of the product. If you have the money to get a brand-new van, you might as well for the mobile alcohol truck. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. To sell alcohol from a mobile bar in the UK you will need a mobile alcohol license called a Temporary Events Notice (TEN). Take lots of change! You can change your cookie settings at any time. It is critical to do this right the first time, otherwise your business may be shut down after opening, until all licenses are obtained. The purchase of the alcohol is done online from the premises where the license is registered, the alcohol will be delivered from your team and served to the guests. Do I need a registered agent or can I be my own? A loyal fan base not only grows your mobile bar, it can also help you branch out into other catering businesses. A mobile cocktail bar is extremely important for weddings, corporate events and private events. So many people hate carrying cash. 2017 2023 StartingYourBusiness.com All Rights Reserved. The most important steps to think about to starting a wine bar business are: 01 | Defining a specific idea. How to sell vape products legally in the UK | Advice Guide Receive offers and news on our latest blogs. Many people who run mobile bars are already working in the trade, running pubs or nightclubs. Easy to move around (can quite literally pedal to the people), Small site space (so cost effective if you go to an event), Can get lost in the background at some events, Striking and a good decorative for the event, Size can make it hard to park/get into some, Site space is expensive for something this size if you go to paid for events, Having lots of things next to the bar, e.g. How To Make A Mobile Cocktail Bar - Ward III These include paying them at least the national minimum wage, allowing them rest breaks and paid annual leave (worked out on an hourly basis if necessary), and protecting them from discrimination. Aim of starting the business e.g. In order to serve any type of food or drink, a food service license will be needed. Alcohol can be sold all year round and is not affected by seasonality. When do I need it? Its time to break out the bubbly because youre ready to take on extra pairs of hands. Youll also need to register with HMRC for tax purposes. This is an affiliate link, so if you do go ahead with purchasing the insurance with them, Eventunity receives a small referral fee that helps keep the lights on around here! Learn more:Business license requirements by state. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A wider variety of drinks? Benefits of the policies we arrange can include cover for fixtures and fittings, stock, and generators. We're hiring! Alcohol lasts for a long time so unused stock going to waste (like with food) is less of an issue. In this guide, we cover all the things you need to get in place. You can check this by visiting https://www.fca.org.uk/register. Continue with Recommended Cookies. It can be a difficult market to break into for the larger events. Theres no denying that staffing is a headache for many mobile bars. Charge as a drinks package e.g. Your first starting point is getting yourself a Personal License. A TEN is suitable for smaller events: fewer than 500 people, including staff and organisers. Get yourself on preferred events suppliers, e.g. Licenses and Permits Needed to Start a Restaurant in London Making a mobile cocktail bar is a great way to make sure your guests have a good time. It also helps when cost tracking. regarding business licensing. We hate to say it, but this can be a major roadblock. You will need the following items/equipment to get started. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Are you happy to accept cookies. Frequently Asked Questions for Personal Licence Holders The best way to ensure this is to set up separate accounts for business and personal. These cookies are required for basic site functions. How much is an alcohol license? 30 per head for 4 drinks etc. How would you calm tensions if punters had a few too many? There is also a big demand for mobile bars, which is now much a part of the event as the food trucks, food stalls and bands. This protects your business from claims made by members of the public. How to tell if you need an alcohol licence - NCASS 16. For instance, sole proprietorships and partnerships generally need to register a business name (also referred to as a Doing Business As, DBA, fictitious name, or assumed name). Starting a successful bubble tea business takes more than knowing how to make a tasty drink. Street Food Central is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. With a content plan (images of work, contact details, upcoming events etc.). This site is owned and operated by Street Food Central. At smaller festivals or events, there will be less competition but footfall could be low. Then, add the mixers and ice. Some events will give you sole rights to sell alcohol but obviously youll pay for that privilege. To legally run a mobile bar business, a public liability insurance PLI is a must especially when dealing with corporate clients. Gavin D is the founder of Street Food Central and Tru Foo Juice Bar Co. and has worked in the mobile catering industry for over 7 years. A3 properties authorise business owners to sell hot food on the premises, and A4 licences authorise business owners to sell alcohol in a bar or pub. Serving or selling drinks from a mobile bar in UK requires the business owner to have a Premises License and also apply for a Temporary Events Notice (TEN). What makes your mobile bar different? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. At Spin and Shake, we believe that the secret to a successful gathering is a beautifully crafted grazing table. Registration is different by location, and you may need a state license or county license, and sometimes both. Public Liability covers accidents or damages caused in the public domain (non-staff). Manicurist License. Selling food? A mobile bar is a fully stocked bar the can be brought to any locations. Still unsure? In the UK we love a drink, and there is likely to be constant demand at shows and events. The answer is more than likely, yes. Licence finder - GOV.UK Shake the mixture well and strain it into the glasses. This could be a garage at home, one that you rent, or secure off-road parking for your alcohol truck. Break it down to target audience specifics: You can then delve deeper on the target audience psychographics e.g. The big show stoppers are usually: Requiring a full commercial kitchen that is not shared by another business. In the U.S., every business must have a license in order to operate legally. Mobile takeaway legal issues | Business Law Donut As with most events there is no one specific answer on how much a mobile bar makes as the cost will depend on the type of setup you have and the audience you serve, more on this below. You can find their details on your local authoritys website. Street Food Central - All rights Reserved 2023, How To Start A Successful Mobile Catering Business (+ free cookbook & equipment checklist), Street Eats & Big Feats (Food truck cookbook). Too high, and youll lose punters and money. The popularity of interactive classes such as cocktail making lessons has also increased in recent years. How to Start a Mobile Bartending Business | Bizfluent When we have nothing else to judge but an image aesthetic is everything! In order to serve any type of food or drink, a food service license will be needed. Depending what you are serving (the more unique the better off), along with a few other key factors, will ultimately determine your success. You need a TEN if you plan to sell alcohol at your event. Welcome! At major festivals, such as Glastonbury, there will be several bars but plenty of thirsty customers. Insurance Factory Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. And if just beginning a spot, it can take a bit to pass inspection with other local offices when open to the public. Because you're planning on opening a bar or taproom that sells alcohol, you'll have to obtain licensing through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).You need to apply for a license with the TTB before you start operating, so this is essential. As you can see there are a range of ways you can design and set up a mobile bar. You need to be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get hands on with everything. Mobilers and Mobilers Insurance Services are trading names of Insurance Factory Limited, registered in England and Wales (No. Check the governments licensing laws or your local authority webpages for full details and costs. Also if you intend to have staff you will need employers liability insurance. What Type of Liquor License Do Mobile Bartenders Need in 2022? How to run a mobile bar | Mobilers First, you need a personal licence from your local authority, which authorises you to sell or supply alcohol in accordance with a premises licence. Both have advantages and disadvantages, as well as tax, legal and financial implications. Home Cocktail Bars Do I Need a Licence For a Mobile Bar UK? Additionally, StartingYourBusiness.com may earn a small commission from products or services mentioned on this site. It goes without saying, you need to price each drink/drinks package so you at least break even. Keep a copy of your application in a safe place at the venue. How Do Seasons Affect The Food Truck Industry? You can buy most of the equipment you need from a professional catering company like Nisbets. While we do our best to keep this information fully up-to-date, remember this site is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or tax advice. If you want to start a successful mobile bar business here is what you need to know.. Events and festivals are everywhere these days and you can get pretty much any sort of street food from around the world. Setting up a mobile bartending service involves acquiring alcohol licenses and permits, bartending equipment, alcohol vendors and sales venues. You can get up to five TENs per year, or 50 if you also hold a personal licence. If hidden, an instant assumption is youre too expensive and puts people off. Alcohol licensing: What do I need to know? - NCASS These small decorations are added, Bar Hire Cost Analysis for Events Your Guide to Budgeting When planning an event, one of the key considerations is the bar. The licences include: A1 This designation covers shops and the sale of cold foods for takeaway. This is partly because the alcohol concessions at events tend to be sold separately to the food concessions and often for considerable amounts of money. This can include chatting to people with experience of running mobile bars, who hold a wealth of information about events, audiences, and selling techniques. So you have chosen your set-up, now you have to decide where you want to sell alcohol from your mobile bar. Mobile bars come in a variety of forms, from a plank resting on beer kegs with a table cloth over, to purpose built portable units and fully equipped trailers capable of pulling thousands of pints of beer an hour. How to Start a Mobile Bartending Service | TRUiC In the UK, there are generallyTHREE types you would want to consider for a mobile bar. Research your audience and cater to their budget, tastes and needs. For more information go to the GOV.UK website. Youll be relieved to know they dont all need personal licences to sell alcohol. Dont worry we wont send you spam or share your email address with anyone. Mobile Bar Business | UK Business Forums Serving or selling drinks from a mobile bar in UK requires the business owner to have a Premises License and also apply for a Temporary Events Notice (TEN). You can get up to 50 TENs per year if you have a personal alcohol license. As your business progresses, keep an eye on these factors and be flexible enough to tweak your offering and seize new opportunities. Check out this article we wrote on Bluetooth card machines. County Clerk, Chamber of Commerce, and/or Economic Developer in your area to get more information If you sell anything e.g. What license do you need for a mobile bar business? Once you receive your . Having an online presence gives your business legitimacy, helps people to find you and acts as a good segway to direct potential customers too. The question, what business license do I need to start my business is a common one, but in reality, a business will often need multiple licenses, permits, and registrations from federal, state, and local agencies to get started. To sell alcohol from a mobile bar in the UK you will need a mobile alcohol license called a Temporary Events Notice (TEN).if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'streetfoodcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_16',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-streetfoodcentral_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'streetfoodcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_17',166,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-streetfoodcentral_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-166{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. These can be set up and designed to suit what drinks you are serving and who you are serving. Often the staff are casual, and at events and festivals they may go off and have a bit too much fun when they arent working. You will have to pay a small commission on money taken, but its likely customers will expect this service. Need to know: You will need a TEN for each event and can get up to 5 per year. You can invest in professional pictures, but ad hoc snaps taken on your smartphone can feel more engaging. A TEN is a licence supplied by your local authority that covers the supply of alcohol. Even if youre just employing staff on zero hour contracts on a casual basis, you still need to give them statutory employment rights. Print up some menus and posters, and perhaps some flyers, too. They record pages you view and other targeting information. Before starting your bubble tea business, be sure to check with the local zoning department to ensure the business can legally operate out of the chosen location. And you are looking at a 50-70% profit margin per unit. The Cargo Bike Company created the below cocktail bar. All of the qualification providers are accredited by the Home Office. Youll also need to get a Basic Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and fill in a disclosure of criminal convictions form. The pitch fee at festivals and markets is also dependent on the size of your stall. To help you out, I have listed out a few headers and sub-headings for you to think about when writing your business plan. A business credit card will help you spread expenses rather than having to pay everything all at once (especially if you have to do all your spending pre-event and may only get 50% payment until event completion). Required fields are marked *. NCASS member?You'll already be subscribed to the member-only edition. My name is Greg Bouhl, and I have over 21 years as an entrepreneur, educator, and business advisor, where I worked with over 1,600 entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses. Festival organisers will charge a hefty price for pitches and receive many applications from traders. Do not feel you have to structure it all in the same order. Corporations and LLCs register are a little easier in that their name is registered when forming the entity. About the licence. Being in a busy area is always desirable, but more expensive, as you will have a high footfall passing the stand. How many hours you want to serve each day? As a rule of thumb, you should expect a food service license to cost between USD$100-1,000 depending on your location. Before you become a restaurant owner, you need to obtain this government-issued license. Another tricky area yes, there are many is calculating how much youre going to charge your customers. Youll need to plan well in advance for larger festivals, applications close almost a year beforehand. In order to succeed in this field it is essential that you have good marketing material as your customers are likely to look at several different options. You also need to consider what gives you the best profit margins. Kit can also be taken away from you if you have been considered to have breached the regulations. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We use cookies to provide you with the best, most personalised experience possible. if its raining buy drinks from us and get a free branded poncho (easy to buy and store if the weather breaks!). You have accepted additional cookies. Once your business is more established you will need to consider building a team. I found it super easy to set up, and there were minimal credit checks, unlikely the major high street banks.