How to Start a Coffee Van Business in the UK [Step-by-Step]

If you’ve ever queued for an americano at a food market or grabbed a flat white on your work break, you’ll know the joy of great coffee on the go. Mobile coffee vans have become a big hit in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. With lower start-up costs than a traditional café, flexible hours, and the freedom to take your business anywhere, more and more people are choosing to start a coffee van business in the UK.

If you’ve been dreaming of running your own coffee shop on wheels but aren’t sure where to begin, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to get your van on the road and win over your first customers.

Why open a coffee van?

The coffee scene in the UK is constantly growing, and people aren’t just craving caffeine anymore. Today’s coffee drinkers want convenience, character, and most importantly, quality.

For you as a business owner, opting for a coffee van is a great way to answer those demands, while also having advantages over traditional coffee shops.

• Lower overheads than a regular café - no rent, fewer staff, and fewer fixed costs tied to property.
• Flexibility - you can take your business to where people are - festivals, offices, events. And if a location becomes slow, you can just pack up and drive to another.
• Growth potential - you can really start small with a coffee van. Fewer risks due to fewer costs lead to more room to experiment and grow.
• Opportunity to be special - your coffee van can stand out with specialty coffee beans, ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, or creative branding.

Essential companies to research when starting your coffee van business in the UK

There have been many coffee van success stories in the UK, some of which you might already know from your coffee breaks.

☕ Really Awesome Coffee - The largest mobile café network in the UK, it started with just one coffee van in Coventry in 2010. Now in 2025, they have an app and are a full-fledged franchise.

☕ Glazed & Roasted - This coffee business began as a small mobile café in a vintage van in Cornwall and now operates full-time in both regular locations and at various events.

☕Social Espresso - From being launched from home with a single mobile bar and one coffee machine in 2016, to now serving high-end events and conferences, Social Espresso is another coffee van success story.

Step-by-step: How to start your coffee van business UK coffee drinkers will love

You might be an experienced barista, but starting a coffee van business is much less about great late art than it is about good organisation and planning. Breaking down every step of the road to your new business will help you stay on track, avoid delays, and most importantly, keep you from breaking any important rules.

Step 1: Do your market research

Before you start fantasising about your gorgeous coffee van, before you even look at purchasing any equipment, you need to research the market. First, do some self-interviewing, and ask yourself:

1. Where are coffee vans most needed? Is it in busy commute areas, office parks, markets, or festivals?
2. Who are your competitors? Are there many other vans or chains around?
3. What makes your business special? Do you plan on having sustainable cups, special beans, or maybe homemade pastries?

When answering these questions, think like the customer. Spending some time on this before you start your business will help you avoid costly mistakes later on. You’ll also get a realistic idea of what your customers expect from you and how much you can earn.

Step 2: Create your business plan

When you hear the term “business plan”, you might imagine a huge company or a franchise. Don’t be fooled - even your small coffee van needs a good business plan. Your plan doesn’t need to be super elaborate or confusing, but it should cover some basic things.

• Start-up costs - You need to know in advance how much starting the van will cost. This means buying or converting a van, getting your coffee machines, grinders, and general equipment, but also getting the appropriate licences and insurance.
• Running costs - Calculating the approximate upkeep costs of your business, such as fuel, stock refills, pitch fees, and maintenance, will help you gauge how much you’ll have to earn each month.
• Pricing strategies - Once you know how much money you’ll need to invest upfront and then every month, you can lay out your pricing strategy. Lay out how much you’ll charge per drink and what your profit margins will be.
• Marketing plan - Decide how you’ll spread the word - will you market on a budget or hire an agency? Consider the potential costs of social media marketing, flyers, loyalty cards, etc.

💡A good business plan isn’t just important when figuring out how to start a coffee van business UK coffeeheads will adore. It also helps if you plan on applying for funding or a small business loan.

Step 3: Choose your vehicle

The van you choose will be the heart of your business. You’ll spend hours inside, so you should take the decision seriously from the get-go. You have many options when it comes to vans, each one with its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Ready-made coffee vans: They are more expensive, but everything is already installed and checked for compliance.
• Converting your own van: This is the cheaper option, but you’ll need to find and hire professionals such as plumbers, electricians, and carpenters.
• Leasing or hiring a van: If you want to test the waters before committing to a coffee van, leasing is the way to go.

When making your decision, there are many factors worth considering.

• Size - A smaller van is easier to park around towns, but a larger one means more space for equipment, and a potentially larger menu.
• Power supply - Are you going to use a generator, batteries, or external hook-ups?
• Water supply & waste management - You can’t get constant refills in a coffee van, so you’ll need enough water tanks for both fresh and waste water.
• Layout - How will you move around inside? Do you plan to hire help, and can they fit? Think ahead, as poor design can significantly slow you down, especially during those peak rush hours.
• Height restrictions - A tall van might simply not fit into certain areas, so before you commit to a van, check the spots where you plan to sell.
• Fuel efficiency - Expect to drive a lot, so an economical engine can make a significant difference to your profits.

Step 4: Get your equipment

To make amazing coffee, you’ll need amazing equipment. Depending on your specialty, the shopping list for your coffee van business will be different, but the basics are still the same for all cafés.

• Espresso machine and coffee grinder
• Water tanks
• Fridge/cooler for milk
• Generators or gas for power
• Cups, stirrers, etc.
• Cleaning supplies

If you’re planning to serve food such as snacks or croissants, remember that every extra item means more storage and preparation space.

Step 5: Register your business

Now that you have everything you need to start, you just need to decide what kind of business structure you’ll adopt. Will you choose to trade as a sole trader or as a limited company?

• As a sole trader, you can set everything up quickly by registering with HMRC.
• As a limited company, the process is more formal, but your business and personal finances will be separated, and you’ll look more professional. If you choose to register as a limited company, ANNA can help you do it with no hassle.

And no matter which option you choose, ANNA also has a business account for the most efficient, effortless banking.

Step 6: Get your licences (and insurance)

When you start a food business such as a coffee van, you need to be fully compliant with the law. This means you have to obtain mandatory licences and insurance from the authorities in order to be able to trade.

1. Food business registration - Because you’ll be handling and serving drinks and food, you have to register with your local authority at least 28 days before starting to sell.
2. Street trading licence - You must get this licence from your local council if trading in public places. If you’re trading on private land, get written permission from the landowner.
3. Vehicle registration - Your van must be registered, taxed, insured for business use, and meet safety standards.
4. Food hygiene and safety certificates - Depending on what you’re serving, there are various certificates (gas safety certificate, electrical safety certificate, etc.). As a baseline, you or someone on your team should have a level 2 Safety & Hygiene certificate, and you’ll need to prepare and follow a food safety management system.
5. Event permissions - If you’re planning to sell at events, festivals, or fairs, get those permissions in advance.
6. Insurance - As a minimum, you’ll need public liability insurance and your commercial vehicle insurance. If you hire staff, you’ll need employers’ liability insurance. Additionally, although not technically mandatory by law, product liability insurance is often mandatory in practice, as event organisers, markets, and other entities usually require it.

💡Don’t forget about allergen labeling - make sure your allergens are displayed clearly if you also prepare and serve food.

Step 7: Build your brand

The good thing about coffee vans is that they’re like moving billboards. This makes building your brand easier from the beginning, but there are still some rules to making sure your coffee van is remembered.

• Name - A great, catchy name for your business is the base for all your branding. If you have a name in mind already, use ANNA’s free name checker to see if it’s available.
• Logo - Your logo should be instantly recognisable. Have some fun creating an original, memorable logo, but also keep in mind it should transfer well to cups, tissues, and sugar packets.
• Van design - If you make your van pop with colours and an interesting design, you’ll catch attention at festivals and markets. However, a minimalist, sleek design will do better at office parks or premium events. Try to appeal to your target audience, but stay true to your vision and add your own spark to your van design.
• Social media presence - Part of learning how to start a coffee van business UK customers won’t overlook is learning to stay relevant on social media. Try different strategies, such as posting daily updates on your van’s location, behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok, or customer testimonials, to drive traffic to your van.
• Loyalty cards - Many customers enjoy stamp cards for their favourite coffee places. If they’re getting a coffee every day either way, why not get the 10th one free with you?

Keep your coffee van business rolling with ANNA

Once you’re out on the road, you’ll want to focus on serving great coffee – not chasing invoices or stressing about tax deadlines. That’s where ANNA comes in:

• Business account in minutes – Open online and manage your money with tools built for small businesses
• Company registration – Get your limited company sorted quickly, without the paperwork headache
• Invoicing that works – Send branded invoices and get paid faster
• Accounting made simple – ANNA + Taxes helps you stay on top of VAT, returns, and deadlines automatically
• Support that never sleeps – Our team is available 24/7, so you’re never left on your own

With ANNA, you can keep your coffee van running smoothly while we handle the boring bits.