Refrigerated van delivery service

Local food producers, wholesalers, caterers, restaurants, farm shops, and small food brands without their own chilled transport.

Charge per delivery, per drop or per run, with regular weekly contracts for steady work. Some jobs are priced by mileage or by the hour.

• Reliable driving and route planning
• Care with food safety and temperature records
• Good communication with business customers

• Hire and reward insurance and goods in transit cover are usually needed, check with a specialist broker
• Food businesses may need to register with their local council, check whether transporting food applies to you
• Food hygiene and temperature rules (such as keeping chilled goods cold), check the Food Standards Agency guidance
• Check the rules on vehicle weight, driver hours and whether you need an operator's licence, especially for heavier vehicles
• Refrigeration unit breakdowns can spoil a load, so plan for maintenance and a backup

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the van, the refrigeration unit and the insurance you choose. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own vehicle and cover before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many regular customers you win and how many hours you work, from about 15 hours a week. These are estimates, and your running costs come out of that figure.

Check that you have hire and reward insurance and goods in transit cover, and whether you need to register with your local council. Read Food Standards Agency guidance on hygiene and temperatures, and check vehicle weight, driver hours and operator's licence rules.