starting up a new caravan dealer

[slowsod]

Iam a car mechanic and at 54 Ive had a enough of it now, Ive seen Lunar's new Venus range which we like.
I live in Rainham Essex near Romford where there are a number of empty car show rooms. What i would like to know is (a) has any one ever started up a new buisnes. (b) Where should i go for funding (c) what about a coopertive (d) what should i do first to see if their is a market around here after all enthusiasum is not enough. Many thaks for any advice given.

 

[Martin24]

The first thing to do is to formulate your ideas into a solid business plan. At this stage you need to be totally honest with yourself and look realistically at what you can achieve. I would also do a swot analysis in myself and the business idea. I would then take everything you have on paper to your own bank and just chat things through and not go any further until all this is complete. As far as co operatives and partnerships are concerned things will then get much more complicated with the possibility of future problems and issues in the running of the business.

Hope this helps with getting started!! I would say that all the ground work is a lot of hard work but nothing to what you would have ahead in running your own business.

 

[RayS]

I agree with much that Martin has said. A swot analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) is a good idea but not too easy to do for yourself the first time round. You will probably find a local organisation especiallyy geared towards helping business startups - ask the Citizens Advice people or look at the government Enterprisee websites.
You haven't said how much experience of caravanning you have - obviously the more the better, as it will help you understand the customer as well as the product.
Under 'threats' in the analysis include the number and proximity of all the other deals in a radius of say 25 miles and what sort of size they are - most will have websites which can be quite informative - and will also tell you if there are any already carrying your preferred brand. Most suppliers will limit their outlets to a distance apart.
Most manufacturers will probably prefer that you can carry out service and handle their warranty claims, and customers will also prefer to buy from a dealer with such facilities. Ideally the workshop should be to the Approved Workshop standards set by NCC and the major Clubs, and someone will need to become qualified to work on LP gas.
Other factors you may consider are your familiarity with IT - particularly for accounts, and what support you have or can get by way of partners or assistance. One man bands are very vunerable.
I hope this will be of some help - time to get busy on the internet ! Good luck

 

[Mike_S]

Just a small point - do these vacant car showrooms have sufficient headroom and adequate access for caravans?
Mike

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Slowsod,

I have seen several small businesses started up on the back of redundancy or other reasons for leaving what might have been a stable and regular employment. All of them started with a real will, but unfortunately the realities of converting a hobby into a real sustainable business opportunity have proven too difficult and around half have been lost in under three years.

I'm sorry to post a rather negative comment, but you must have a real dose of reality and be professional about getting the best advice when planning your venture. It is essential to have business plan, as without one you can't plan investment, and external funders will not invest.

When planning don't assume anything, check it out and keep the information for future reference.

Things like; what you can do as a 'amateur' on you own private property without qualification you may need to train and register to be able to do legally as a 'professional'

Do you have the skills or resources to deal the financial matters such as VAT, corporation tax, payroll (ask your self is this really a one man prospect).

Contact your loacl Confederation of British Industry to see if they have any links with small enterprise advisers, and even possibly venture capitalists.

I wish you luck, but do fully research your proposals.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Duplicate post - sorry

 

[Tony_5041742]

My experience of dealers in my area (East Midlands) is that several have closed in recent years, which tends to make me think that conditions probably aren't great for opening a new dealership. As others have said, market research as part of a business plan is vital. And not wishing to be unkind, but if you don't know your prospective market well enough to be able to come up with a realistic business plan then this probably isn't for you.

On the other hand, I do know people who have re-trained as mobile caravan service technicians after careers such as yours and have done quite well.

 

[slowsod]

Well thanks very much for all your help and advice you have given me a lot to think about, I have to say the wife thought it was a daft idea to begin with and all of you have convinced me its dead in the water or caravan park, any way thanks again.

 

[Surfer]

You would be better off doing a caravan course, obtaining a gas certificate and then servicing caravans as a mobile technician. Plenty of demand of that type of work plus overheads a lot lower and if it does not work out, at least you have your gas safety certificate. Bonus is that you are not tied into any long time commitments with rented premises and utility costs.