Mobile Catering Pitch Fees - £300 To Much?

by zarina welsh
(uk)

Hi David

I have been offered a pitch on a small industrial estate which is ideal as it is close to me. The only thing is the rent is £300 a week! Its worked out by the number of car park spaces i will be taking up 3, electrical hook up and use of toilets.

Also rent to be paid a month up front, £1200! I think thats quite high, what do anyone else think? Of course until I start I do not know how much trade im going to receive to make it beneficial!

Do I go for and take a risk or not! All advice greatly appreciated.

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Jan 27, 2025
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch Fees at Festivals
by: David-

Pitch fees for food vendors at events like a Festival of Cars weekend can vary widely based on factors like the event size, location, and expected attendance. Here's a simple breakdown to give you an idea:

Average Costs

Small Local Events:
For smaller, local car festivals, pitch fees might range from £50 to £200 per day, depending on the footfall and the amenities provided (like electricity and water).

Larger Regional or National Events:
For bigger events with high attendance, fees can range from £300 to £1,000 for the weekend. Premium spots near the main attractions or areas with heavy traffic may cost more.

High-End Events:
At prestigious or high-attendance festivals, such as major car shows or themed weekends, pitch fees can go up to £1,500 or more for the event.

What Determines the Cost?

Event Size and Popularity:
Larger, well-advertised events with thousands of attendees will typically charge higher pitch fees.

Location of the Pitch:

Premium spots near the entrance, main attractions, or high-footfall areas usually cost more.

Services Provided:

Fees may include extras like power, water, or waste disposal. Always confirm what’s included before committing.

Type of Food Offered:
If you offer unique or in-demand food options, you might negotiate a lower fee or get a prime location.

Additional Tips

Contact the Event Organizers:
Reach out directly to festival organizers for detailed pricing and to understand what’s included in the fee. Some events have tiered pricing based on pitch size or amenities.

Negotiate If Possible:

For smaller events, there’s sometimes room for negotiation, especially if you’re offering something unique or a service the event needs.

Check for Revenue Shares:

Some festivals charge a lower upfront fee but take a percentage of your sales (typically 10%-20%). Make sure you clarify this beforehand.

Encouraging Words

Don’t let pitch fees scare you away! Events like car festivals often have high footfall and can lead to great sales if you’re well-prepared. Do your research, calculate your expected sales, and choose events where you’ll get the most exposure and return on investment. Good luck,
Feb 11, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Pitch fee costs
by: Anonymous

How much to food venders pay for pitch at festival of cars weekend pitch
Jan 28, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Very High Pitch Fees
by: David

Hi Zarina,

This seems VERY expensive for what it is - 3 parking spaces on a SMALL industrial estate, where most businesses will close for the weekend. This sort of rent is what you’d expect to pay outside a big B&Q store, and where you will also have the weekends to increase your income.

Is there any way you could negotiate to pay a sliding scale of rent that would increase each year?

So for the 1st year you would pay £100 per week, 2nd year £150, 3rd year £200 and so on. This way you will get the chance to establish and grow the business and find out if it’s worthwhile.

Also the landlord still gets his rent rather than no rent at all.
Also for this sort of money you could rent a full retail unit or café/takeaway and start your business.( Maybe point this out to your landlord)

Zarina, don’t be rushed into it, really think about your options and finances, because there’s no point committing yourself to a business where you are just working to pay the landlord.

Best of luck

Regards

David

p.s Get my free guide on Starting a Mobile Catering Business

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