Mobile fish van round

Households in villages and suburbs, older customers who like doorstep service, and people without a nearby fishmonger.

You sell fish by weight at a margin over wholesale cost. A reliable round of regular stops builds repeat custom, and pre-orders can reduce waste.

• Preparing and filleting fish
• Route planning
• Friendly customer service
• Driving and early starts

• Register as a food business with your local council (check the timing and what inspections apply)
• Street trading consent may be needed in some areas, and private car parks need the owner's permission, so check with each council
• Food hygiene and temperature control standards for vehicles
• Motor and public liability insurance suitable for trading from a vehicle
• Vehicle and refrigeration breakdowns can lose a day's stock
• Weather and fuel costs affecting profit

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending mainly on the van, refrigeration and opening stock. Vehicle and refrigeration breakdowns can lose a day's stock, so it is worth budgeting for that risk.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £9,000, depending on how many days you run, the size of your round and what you sell. Expect at least 20 hours a week, and weather and fuel costs affect profit.

Check registering as a food business with your council, including timing and inspections. Also check whether street trading consent is needed, get permission for private car parks, check vehicle food hygiene and temperature control standards, and arrange suitable motor and public liability insurance.