How to research potential trading locations and pitches

Why your location is the secret sauce

You can have the most amazing product in the world, but if no one is around to buy it, you won’t make any money. Finding the right place to trade is just as important as what you sell. It’s all about putting your business right in the path of your ideal customers. This guide will walk you through how to find and investigate the perfect spots to set up shop.

Step 1: Brainstorm your pitch-perfect spots

First, let's think big and create a list of all the types of places you could potentially trade. Don't limit yourself yet – just get all the ideas down. Here are a few to get you started:

• Regular Markets: Think weekly street food markets, farmers' markets, or local town markets. They have guaranteed footfall but you'll be alongside other food traders.
• Business & Industrial Parks: A fantastic option for catching the weekday lunch rush. Office workers are often looking for quick, high-quality options.
• Private Land: This could be a pub car park, the forecourt of a large office, a retail park, or a local farm shop. You'll need the landowner's permission, but it can lead to a regular, reliable pitch.
• Festivals & Events: Music festivals, food fairs, and local carnivals can be incredibly lucrative, with thousands of potential customers in one place. Be aware that pitch fees can be high.
• High Streets & Town Centres: The classic location with lots of shoppers, but often comes with more competition and stricter council rules.
• Transport Hubs & Tourist Spots: Think near busy train stations, parks, or popular attractions where people are always coming and going.

Step 2: Do your detective work

Once you have a list of potential locations, it’s time to put on your detective hat. For each spot, you need to investigate the rules, costs, and potential. The best way to do this is to visit them in person.

1. Go on a site visit: Visit your top 3-5 locations at the times you would plan to trade. Get a feel for the place. Is it busy? Who is there? Are people in a rush or relaxing? Would your business fit in?
2. Identify the 'gatekeeper': You need to find out who is in charge. For a market or festival, it’s the event organiser. For a high street, it’s the local council. For a business park or pub car park, it’s the landowner or site manager.
3. Ask the right questions: Once you find the right person, you need to get the key details. Be prepared with a list of questions:
   • What are the pitch fees? Is it a flat rate, a percentage of sales, or something else?
   • What are the set trading hours?
   • Are there any restrictions on vehicle size, noise, or branding?
   • Is there access to essentials like electricity or fresh water?
   • What licences, insurance, and food hygiene documents do I need to provide?
   • What is the application process and is there a waiting list?
4. Scope out the competition: Make a note of any other businesses nearby, especially direct competitors. A bit of competition can be healthy, but a saturated market is tough to break into.

Step 3: Create your location shortlist

Now you can bring all your research together to compare your options. A simple table is a great way to see everything at a glance and make a decision. This will help you weigh up the pros and cons of each potential pitch.

Example Location Comparison Table

Location	Type	Pitch Fee	Pros	Cons
Northwood Business Park	Private Land	£40/day	Lots of hungry office workers, no direct competition.	Only busy Mon-Fri, 12-2pm. Dead at weekends.
Town Square Market	Market	£60/day	Guaranteed footfall all day Saturday. Great vibe.	Two other burger vans are already there.
Summer Music Festival	Event	£1000 for weekend	Huge potential earnings, 10,000+ people.	Very high upfront cost, long hours, weather dependent.

Top Tip: Don't feel you have to find one perfect spot and stick to it forever. The beauty of a mobile business is that you can test different locations! Try a few different pitches and be sure to track your sales at each one. This data is gold – it will tell you exactly which spots are the most profitable for you.

By following these steps, you'll move from a vague idea of where to trade to a solid, well-researched shortlist of locations that give your new business the very best chance of success.