Can you help me with a bit of research for a new venture?
Discussion
I hope I'm not too out of place writing this.
I'm currently undergoing some research of which I was hoping members on her would help me with. This has so far been my first port of call, as through experience in the past, you have all been a pretty enthusiastic lot about your cars!
I have a unique opportunity for a new business venture, I currently work in a printing firm and to be honest its starting to get a little tedious, and like many people, have ambitions of starting my own business.
The prospect is for Professional Vehicle Storage. I have access to a large, new, immaculate and extremely secure factory space. The factory was purpose built as a printing facility so therefore large open spaces; easy, wide access to vehicles throughout and is heated; with room for approximately; 30/40+ vehicles, there is also lots of surrounding open space, (car park and truck turning circle) for the occasional get together!
My plan is to offer secure long/short term storage for vehicles that fellow enthusiasts feel deserve it! Along with all of the support services you may require; i.e. transportation, exercise and maintenance, valeting and repairs.
The facility is in a small town on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire which is about 40 minutes from Manchester, Leeds and Preston.
I have been a car enthusiast since well before I could even drive, and so this would be an enterprise that I would be extremely passionate about.
My question to you is whether you think this is a valid business opportunity, and since we are in the north west forum, in order to find out whether there is a market for this; want to try and gauge any potential demand for such a service.
I would be extremely appreciative of input you would have for me. Thank you in advance.
I'm currently undergoing some research of which I was hoping members on her would help me with. This has so far been my first port of call, as through experience in the past, you have all been a pretty enthusiastic lot about your cars!
I have a unique opportunity for a new business venture, I currently work in a printing firm and to be honest its starting to get a little tedious, and like many people, have ambitions of starting my own business.
The prospect is for Professional Vehicle Storage. I have access to a large, new, immaculate and extremely secure factory space. The factory was purpose built as a printing facility so therefore large open spaces; easy, wide access to vehicles throughout and is heated; with room for approximately; 30/40+ vehicles, there is also lots of surrounding open space, (car park and truck turning circle) for the occasional get together!
My plan is to offer secure long/short term storage for vehicles that fellow enthusiasts feel deserve it! Along with all of the support services you may require; i.e. transportation, exercise and maintenance, valeting and repairs.
The facility is in a small town on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire which is about 40 minutes from Manchester, Leeds and Preston.
I have been a car enthusiast since well before I could even drive, and so this would be an enterprise that I would be extremely passionate about.
My question to you is whether you think this is a valid business opportunity, and since we are in the north west forum, in order to find out whether there is a market for this; want to try and gauge any potential demand for such a service.
I would be extremely appreciative of input you would have for me. Thank you in advance.
When I was looking for similar storage facilities recently, I found it very hard indeed to find somewhere suitable for my trackday car and trailer.
Priorities in order were:
- indoor/covered/secture storage
- local to me (need to work on car regularly so did not want to travel)
- Price
- good access (both physical and timewise)
When looking I spoke with several local caravan storage companies, but they were mainly outside storage and those that were not were book several times over.
I then tried the local "storage companies", which mainly store furniture etc. The first one was in an old mill and the car storage was on the 2nd floor - so trailer a no go and access was not good for the low trackday car.
The next offered external storage with 24hr access with some overhang off the building to keep it covered - so this was best so far but a bit far away so kept looking.
Finally I found a local guy who rented storage containers, for builders/decorators etc, so I went down to see them. Ideally, I wanted one to take both the car and trailer but even the larger ones were too small to fit both in. After some looking around at the various containers, we found one where I could simply (!?!?) back the trailer upto the front of the container and literally push the car in. Trailer and container were the same height so no need for ramps etc. The security was very high also, so this was an added benefit. Price was a little high for car only, but there is space for wheels/tyres etc. Trailer sits at home on driveway.
Take a look here for the solution - www.cliocupexperience.co.uk
If you would like any more input then please let me know. Considered doing something similar myself after all the hassles I had.
Priorities in order were:
- indoor/covered/secture storage
- local to me (need to work on car regularly so did not want to travel)
- Price
- good access (both physical and timewise)
When looking I spoke with several local caravan storage companies, but they were mainly outside storage and those that were not were book several times over.
I then tried the local "storage companies", which mainly store furniture etc. The first one was in an old mill and the car storage was on the 2nd floor - so trailer a no go and access was not good for the low trackday car.
The next offered external storage with 24hr access with some overhang off the building to keep it covered - so this was best so far but a bit far away so kept looking.
Finally I found a local guy who rented storage containers, for builders/decorators etc, so I went down to see them. Ideally, I wanted one to take both the car and trailer but even the larger ones were too small to fit both in. After some looking around at the various containers, we found one where I could simply (!?!?) back the trailer upto the front of the container and literally push the car in. Trailer and container were the same height so no need for ramps etc. The security was very high also, so this was an added benefit. Price was a little high for car only, but there is space for wheels/tyres etc. Trailer sits at home on driveway.
Take a look here for the solution - www.cliocupexperience.co.uk
If you would like any more input then please let me know. Considered doing something similar myself after all the hassles I had.
Thank you for the input Supertouring.
My aim is to satisfy all of the requirements that you have mentioned above.
an Indoor, heated factory building, very secure and well maintained.
My overheads will be very minimal allowing room for a reasonable price.
The entrance to the building was custom built with 2 very large gangways to let 40ft articulated lorries back directly into the warehouse for loading/unloading pallets of paper, therefore the physical access is easy and well catered for.
Also; because there is so much space available, I would be able to offer additional storage space as an option with the car; hopefully also near each car space, for ancillary items such as wheels/tyres as you mentioned; or tools cleaning kit etc.
I was maybe thinking that space could be allocated to provide clients access to basic bookable workshop areas on site ; I'm no mechanic, however, it seems logical that guests would tinker with there auto's in a decent covered workspace near to where they are stored.
However; From another point you made, if my first idea was not viable; its interesting that you mentioned that covered caravan storage facilities were booked several times over...not exactly a passion of mine; but maybe worth investigating...hmm?!
My aim is to satisfy all of the requirements that you have mentioned above.
an Indoor, heated factory building, very secure and well maintained.
My overheads will be very minimal allowing room for a reasonable price.
The entrance to the building was custom built with 2 very large gangways to let 40ft articulated lorries back directly into the warehouse for loading/unloading pallets of paper, therefore the physical access is easy and well catered for.
Also; because there is so much space available, I would be able to offer additional storage space as an option with the car; hopefully also near each car space, for ancillary items such as wheels/tyres as you mentioned; or tools cleaning kit etc.
I was maybe thinking that space could be allocated to provide clients access to basic bookable workshop areas on site ; I'm no mechanic, however, it seems logical that guests would tinker with there auto's in a decent covered workspace near to where they are stored.
However; From another point you made, if my first idea was not viable; its interesting that you mentioned that covered caravan storage facilities were booked several times over...not exactly a passion of mine; but maybe worth investigating...hmm?!
Thank you for the reply bob1179
At the moment; I am researching whether there is a market for this, (2 positive replies in 2 day's sounds promising though!!) as soon as this is determined; I can go to the next stage and look at options for pricing, and will consult on here with what people feel would be acceptable and reasonable. My initial thoughts will be that there will be a level up structure of prices; however at the moment, I'm not even certain what a competitive price is.
Please stay tuned!!
At the moment; I am researching whether there is a market for this, (2 positive replies in 2 day's sounds promising though!!) as soon as this is determined; I can go to the next stage and look at options for pricing, and will consult on here with what people feel would be acceptable and reasonable. My initial thoughts will be that there will be a level up structure of prices; however at the moment, I'm not even certain what a competitive price is.
Please stay tuned!!
I look forward to seeing how this pans out and what sort of prices you come up with. I really don't know what a competitive rate would be but I'm sure there is someone on PH who will know. There definately seems to be a market for good car storage.
If there is power available to run trickle chargers or 'carcoons' that would also be a bonus.
Good luck with the venture and let us know how it goes and when there might be availability.
If there is power available to run trickle chargers or 'carcoons' that would also be a bonus.
Good luck with the venture and let us know how it goes and when there might be availability.
Thank you again; Power would not be an issue; I have already been looking at 'trickle chargers' and will definately be within my plans, I guess you refer to the large clear plastic 'bubbles' (for want of a better word) with 'carcoons' in that case, yes they could also be part of the offering.
There are deffo two markets here, I feel.
First is for the "high class" (do not mean this in a bad way) car storage with car bubbles, regular running, and valeting etc
While the other (what I am after) is for good honest, economical storage for my fun toy due to space/restrictions at home with good access and security.
I see these as two differing customers with differing demands/priorities but which a single company could quite easily accomodate.
First is for the "high class" (do not mean this in a bad way) car storage with car bubbles, regular running, and valeting etc
While the other (what I am after) is for good honest, economical storage for my fun toy due to space/restrictions at home with good access and security.
I see these as two differing customers with differing demands/priorities but which a single company could quite easily accomodate.
Supertouring, you are absolutely right; I have another thread running elsewhere who have pointed this out also, along with a rough costing scenario. The basic storage rates would account for the "bread and butter" of the business that will cover the operating costs; margins will then be boosted through the ancillary/superior offerings.
Just to add some input to the original request, I do agree there are two markets as pointed out above.
However, I'd also point out that a lot of people who are in a position to have a nice car, track day car etc often have a decent sized house with a single or double garage and decent driveway, in my experience anyway.
However, what this group of people don't have (myself included) are four post lifts, and company when in the garage etc. Therefore, there is perhaps another angle this could be successful from, being the social one. If you managed to have decent toilet/shower facilities there, an area for working on the cars that was indoor, then it would be appealing for lots of people to come down at weekends to work on their cars in a socialable pistonhead atmosphere and share a brew and helpful tips etc.
The more markets you can appeal to, the more of a success it is likely to be. Am intereseted to see how this goes.
Scottie; fantastic suggestion! thanks for that, the workshop is something I do already have in mind, but the "get together" concept as well as showers, WC and wash facilities is superb!
There is a Gym already renting some of the space in the building also, which may appeal to some maybe!
There is a Gym already renting some of the space in the building also, which may appeal to some maybe!
Love the idea of workshop facilities - that would be popular. Also rent power tools, offer wheel changing facilities while on site. Sell basic fluids/components/even parts maybe?
I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
It does sounds like a great idea.
The cost would be the big decider for me. I suspect the heating, rent and insurance (I presume you would need liability cover for the value of the vehicles) is not going to be cheap - so it may require a fairly hefty premium which may take it out of most peoples reach.
Would certainly be interested in finding out more.
The cost would be the big decider for me. I suspect the heating, rent and insurance (I presume you would need liability cover for the value of the vehicles) is not going to be cheap - so it may require a fairly hefty premium which may take it out of most peoples reach.
Would certainly be interested in finding out more.
supertouring said:
Love the idea of workshop facilities - that would be popular. Also rent power tools, offer wheel changing facilities while on site. Sell basic fluids/components/even parts maybe?
I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
Pick up around the place, Do a few lube jobs, Put the toilet paper on the little spools, crap like that.I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
You can scrounge through my shitpile outback.
Hell I might even through in a few bucks.
Spoken by another DIY Garage owner
Name that film.cazzer said:
supertouring said:
Love the idea of workshop facilities - that would be popular. Also rent power tools, offer wheel changing facilities while on site. Sell basic fluids/components/even parts maybe?
I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
Pick up around the place, Do a few lube jobs, Put the toilet paper on the little spools, crap like that.I am constantly laying on a cold driveway and having to visit here/there/everywhere to get stuff done.
Can I have the first francise?
You can scrounge through my shitpile outback.
Hell I might even through in a few bucks.
Spoken by another DIY Garage owner
Name that film.
Depending on price, I might be interested in this....but remember, Im poor
Gassing Station | North West | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff