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What Fire Extinguisher Do I Need for a Coffee Van?Shahana from Rugby asked which type of fire extinguisher a newly conve...
16/10/2026

What Fire Extinguisher Do I Need for a Coffee Van?

Shahana from Rugby asked which type of fire extinguisher a newly converted coffee van needs, water, CO2 or foam, and how big it should be.

Water and most foam extinguishers are out, because a coffee van is full of electrics. A 2kg CO2 extinguisher suits the coffee machine, grinder and fridge. If the machine or boiler runs on LPG, add a 2kg dry powder one too, plus a fire blanket for around £10. Mount them by the door so you reach for them on your way out, check the gauge every month and get them serviced once a year, because plenty of events ask to see the service label before you trade.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/what-fire-extinguisher-do-i-need-for-a-coffee-van.html

How Many Times Can I Sell Alcohol at the Same Place on an Occasional Licence in Scotland?Marius from Aberdeen runs his o...
15/10/2026

How Many Times Can I Sell Alcohol at the Same Place on an Occasional Licence in Scotland?

Marius from Aberdeen runs his own catering business and had heard about a 56 day yearly cap on occasional licences. Did it apply to him?

It doesn't, and that surprises a lot of caterers. The 56 day cap is written into the Act for voluntary organisations, clubs and charities. A commercial caterer applies as a personal licence holder, so the Scottish personal licence course is the first job to sort. Each occasional licence lasts up to 14 days and there's no fixed yearly number, but boards can refuse if the same pitch every weekend starts looking like a permanent operation dodging a premises licence.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/how-many-times-can-i-sell-alcohol-at-the-same-place-on-an-occasional-licence-in-scotland.html

What Vehicle Can Tow a 22ft Triple Axle Catering Trailer?Alin from London asked which van or 4x4 will tow a 22ft, three ...
14/10/2026

What Vehicle Can Tow a 22ft Triple Axle Catering Trailer?

Alin from London asked which van or 4x4 will tow a 22ft, three axle catering trailer with an eye ring coupling.

The trailer's weight decides the shortlist, not its length. A trailer that size is often plated at or near 3,500kg, which rules out most cars and front wheel drive vans. You need a vehicle with a 3,500kg braked towing limit, so check its own VIN plate, not just the brochure. Get the trailer weighed fully loaded at a public weighbridge first, usually £10 to £20, and sort out that eye ring too, because a standard 50mm tow ball will not take it.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/what-vehicle-can-tow-a-22ft-triple-axle-catering-trailer.html

How Do I Get a Business Phone Number for My Mobile Catering Unit?Lena from Scotland asked how to get one business number...
13/10/2026

How Do I Get a Business Phone Number for My Mobile Catering Unit?

Lena from Scotland asked how to get one business number that rings on two personal mobiles, ideally for free, because every free virtual number she found was in the USA.

Free UK numbers are rare, but a proper virtual number usually costs a few pounds a month and can ring both mobiles at the same time, so whoever is free picks up. I'd pick a local area code or an 03 number, which callers pay for like a normal landline call. Steer clear of 084 and 087 numbers, because they cost your customers more and put people off ringing. If you want to spend nothing, a pay as you go SIM with free WhatsApp Business is the workaround.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/how-do-i-get-a-business-phone-number-for-my-mobile-catering-unit.html

Do I Need a Licence and Hygiene Certificate to Sell Candyfloss and Popcorn?Lexie from Essex has candyfloss and popcorn m...
12/10/2026

Do I Need a Licence and Hygiene Certificate to Sell Candyfloss and Popcorn?

Lexie from Essex has candyfloss and popcorn machines and a market application in, and wanted to know whether that even counts as catering.

It does, you're a food business, so register with your council at least 28 days before trading. It's free. No law demands a hygiene certificate for low risk products like these, but the online Level 2 course at £20 to £25 is the piece of paper market organisers like to see. At an organised market the operator usually holds the site permissions, so you trade under theirs. One catch: pre-bagged popcorn falls under Natasha's Law, so it needs full ingredient and allergen labels.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/do-i-need-a-licence-and-hygiene-certificate-to-sell-candyfloss-and-popcorn.html

Can I Use Caravan Ovens in a Catering Van or Do I Need Commercial Ones?Vicky from Rochester is planning a cake and fizz ...
09/10/2026

Can I Use Caravan Ovens in a Catering Van or Do I Need Commercial Ones?

Vicky from Rochester is planning a cake and fizz van for weddings and fetes, and wanted to know if caravan ovens would do or if the EHO expects commercial kit.

There's no law saying every appliance has to be a commercial model. The EHO judges the outcome, can it be cleaned properly and hold safe temperatures. Where domestic ovens fall down is workload, slow to recover heat mid-service and full of crumb traps. The real money saver though: most cake businesses don't bake in the van at all. Bake in a registered kitchen, which can be your own at home, and use the van for display and serving.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/can-i-use-caravan-ovens-in-a-catering-van-or-do-i-need-commercial-ones.html

How Do I Get Council Permission to Trade a Street Food Van in the City Centre?Ornella from Manchester has spent two year...
06/10/2026

How Do I Get Council Permission to Trade a Street Food Van in the City Centre?

Ornella from Manchester has spent two years on her business plan and has a city centre spot picked out. She just didn't know which council office to ask.

In Manchester the city centre runs on a Street Trader Licence and most other streets on a Street Trader Consent, and the door to knock on is the council's licensing team. Ask them two things. First, whether your street is a prohibited street, because some are closed to trading altogether. Second, whether they'll consider an application for that pitch. Centre spots go fast, so have a second and third choice ready.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/how-do-i-get-council-permission-to-trade-a-street-food-van-in-the-city-centre.html

Do I Need a Separate Street Trading Licence for Each Location?If I want to pitch a food trailer in four different spots ...
03/10/2026

Do I Need a Separate Street Trading Licence for Each Location?

If I want to pitch a food trailer in four different spots around South Manchester, do I need a licence or consent for each one?

Anthony from Manchester asked this, and it's a smart thing to check before committing to any pitch. There's no single blanket licence that lets you trade anywhere. Street trading is tied to the location, so you list every pitch you want, and if your spots cross into neighbouring councils like Trafford or Stockport you apply to each one.

I've written a simple guide covering how the consents work and where food registration fits in.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/do-i-need-a-separate-street-trading-licence-for-each-location.html

Can I Mount a Diesel Generator Next to LPG Bottles on My Catering Trailer?Is it safe to bolt a diesel generator right ne...
30/09/2026

Can I Mount a Diesel Generator Next to LPG Bottles on My Catering Trailer?

Is it safe to bolt a diesel generator right next to the gas bottles on a catering trailer, or do they need to be kept apart?

Charl from Glasgow asked this, and I'm glad the question came before the build rather than after. The short answer is no, you should not mount them side by side. A running generator is a heat and ignition source, and LPG cylinders need to be kept well clear of it, upright, outside the serving structure and properly ventilated.

I've written a simple guide covering how far apart they need to be and how to lay the trailer out safely.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/can-i-mount-a-diesel-generator-next-to-lpg-bottles-on-my-catering-trailer.html

Can I Put a Burger Van on Common Land or Do I Need a Street Trading Licence?Kelly from Wales asked whether she can just ...
27/09/2026

Can I Put a Burger Van on Common Land or Do I Need a Street Trading Licence?

Kelly from Wales asked whether she can just put a burger van on common land, or whether she has to go through the council and pay for a street trading licence. She has not started trading yet, so she is doing exactly the right thing by checking first.

The word common catches a lot of people out. Common land almost always belongs to someone, a lord of the manor, the council or a body like the National Trust, so it is not free for anyone to use. Your first call is the landowner for written permission, and only then the council about a street trading licence.

Full answer here:
https://www.mobcater.co.uk/can-i-put-a-burger-van-on-common-land-or-do-i-need-a-street-trading-licence.html

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