Do i need change of use??

Tipp man running

Hi there,

New to the business forums but a long time reader. I'm in the research stage of opening a retail/snooker business in Tipperary. I've got a lot of valuable information here already but i wonder if anyone could help me with the following?

a) I've spotted a premises i like that's advertised as a retail unit. I want to open a retail shop for sports gifts and supplies plus with an extra income earner of a small pool/snooker room as part of it. Do i need a change of premises use?

b) Will I need a fire cert?

The premises is 2000ft2 and has always been used as a retail or discount shop. My own background is I'm an experienced retail manager who will be out of a job come february for the first time in his life and have a few pound put away and would like to try and give myself employment. Thanks very much in advance for any advice, its much appreciated. And if anyone has any ideas or comments on the idea either negative or positive I'd love to hear them...

Tipp Man Running:)

nlpete

Hey TIpp man

This is not advice or anything !!

How would putting the whole place into lesure activitys like snooker and pool and gamming.

Your security would be easier as its hard to rob a pool table etc and there would still be room behind counter for best related and other performming products that have the roi.

The lesure industry allays seems to do ok I think

The opening hours could be a lot more and there is an openning to offer refreshments etc which all make up a lot of small change.

How is the competition in the sportsware trade..and could you do that online with delivery to the custommers door..like dropshipping !

All depends on the area etc I guess but anything that can protect your savings/investment from inflation is good

Pete

Tipp man running

Thanks for the reply pete, the though of solely opening a snooker/pool gaming premises has crossed my mind but i'm afraid my background is retail and i'm not really update on the requirements i'd need like i would be in the retail industry.

I know you need a seperate licence for each gaming machine and a little about the industry. I would be interested in a soley snooker room and maybe pool with some light refreshments and drop the sports gifts.

Would anyone know would i need a change in use of premise if i did lease a retail premises for this..

Many thanks, Tipp man

infamous

Snooker is a dying sport, very low profile these days, I feel you would find it very hard to make a decent living from supplying snooker related products and a games room. My local snooker hall has gone from about 50 tables to 10 and now is mainly a gaming hall running poker games and using roulette tables slots etc. Like even if you have 10 tables at 5 quid an hour at half capacity for 8 hours a day which is quite generous its a turnover of 200 gross a day take wages rent/rates electricity out of that and youll be a long time getting your money back. There are also alot of casino type venues closing up tho if you can get into a premises at a low cost base you may be able to make a few quid.

Tipp man running

Thanks for the reply infamous,

Searching previous threads have brought up the trend that snooker is a dying sport alright. I live in a handy size town that has nothing at all really to do and was hoping of just setting up somewhere that would provide an amenity while also providing myself a wage...i'll have to give it more thought...Thanks for the comment again...

Tipp Man..:)

infamous

How about something like Airsoft, it is one of the growing passtimes in the country-(I know nothing about it) but may be worth looking at. Snooker would be alot of work for minimal reward I fear. What kind of population has the town. The likes of milkshake shops are doing well in dublin at the minute tho I fear there success could be short lived similar to juice bar, but if could get a place on a short lease of a year or so might be worth a go. Also health shops are also surviving the recession its a good time to be starting a business as you are invariably competing against companies who have signed up for leases at mad money and who may also be paying their staff over the odds.

DJKendo

infamous wrote: »

How about something like Airsoft, it is one of the growing passtimes in the country-(I know nothing about it) but may be worth looking at. Snooker would be alot of work for minimal reward I fear. What kind of population has the town. The likes of milkshake shops are doing well in dublin at the minute tho I fear there success could be short lived similar to juice bar, but if could get a place on a short lease of a year or so might be worth a go. Also health shops are also surviving the recession its a good time to be starting a business as you are invariably competing against companies who have signed up for leases at mad money and who may also be paying their staff over the odds.

If he is thinking of setting it up where he lives (Cahir), there is a population of around 3,500..Nothing really to do in the town, but most people go to Clonmel (10-15 minute drive) for shopping, games etc.

There is a very popular snooker club called Circles there who have 14 Snooker Tables. 1 9 Ball Table, 3 pub size pool tables, and 6 small snooker tables.

They have done exactly what another poster mentioned. The now have a poker/casino area, with slot machines, roulette etc. They do nightly poker tournaments now, which show you really do need more than just snooker

nlpete

Hi all

Lets turn it around and ask ! would the people from Cahir make the journey out to his place for a decent game of snooker or that sort of thing.

Gambling seems to be on the up with casinos etc.

You could have a retail sports counter at front of house but I would sell all things sports and also have an online catalogue so you hold less stock, delivery is quick and the cheaper prices would be a real attraction.

Retailing needs to change in Ireland as holding stock is expensive as you know and they will deliver to the custommer and you get the comish, less proffit but less work and a huge choice of goods that you could not carry otherwise, By the way ! there are very affordable ways of getting a website together if you wanted your own online shop and you could cover the whole country. It becomes a passive income.

If its just an simple amenity then I would aim at a younger age group with no gambling but give them space invaders type machines and online PS3 sports and shoot em up games and rent the controler just as you would a cue and balls..also internet.

Keep the food costs down by doing a sandwich bar and hot and cold drinks machine. no cooking equipment and all that H&S licence and less staff.

Couple of big screens for matches etc...young fellas paradise !

Your in a quiet town so it would be apreciated by all I would think and a good social centre.

DJKendo

nlpete wrote: »

Hi all

Lets turn it around and ask ! would the people from Cahir make the journey out to his place for a decent game of snooker or that sort of thing.

Gambling seems to be on the up with casinos etc.

You could have a retail sports counter at front of house but I would sell all things sports and also have an online catalogue so you hold less stock, delivery is quick and the cheaper prices would be a real attraction.

Retailing needs to change in Ireland as holding stock is expensive as you know and they will deliver to the custommer and you get the comish, less proffit but less work and a huge choice of goods that you could not carry otherwise, By the way ! there are very affordable ways of getting a website together if you wanted your own online shop and you could cover the whole country. It becomes a passive income.

If its just an simple amenity then I would aim at a younger age group with no gambling but give them space invaders type machines and online PS3 sports and shoot em up games and rent the controler just as you would a cue and balls..also internet.

Keep the food costs down by doing a sandwich bar and hot and cold drinks machine. no cooking equipment and all that H&S licence and less staff.

Couple of big screens for matches etc...young fellas paradise !

Your in a quiet town so it would be apreciated by all I would think and a good social centre.

Gatehouse is where everyone goes to watch the matches.

Look, I'd be the first person to say they would like a pool/snooker club here, but it just wouldn't be successful to be completely honest to the OP..

People go to Circles in Clonmel to play their pool/snooker.

nlpete

Ok ! so thats that snookered ! LoL


So what doesnt the town have that suits his skill base.

Tipp man running

Thanks very much for your valued opinions, a lot of food for thought. Its a pity cahir doesn't have anything but maybe it is just too close to clonmel. Have to admit i've watched the matches in the gatehouse myself! The online shop point was a very good point, its actually something i'm i the process of doing alright. Might have to rethink the snooker though.:)

nlpete

Fair play Tipp man and best of luck to you.

I dont know the town so I wont argue with them that do, but I will say that where there's a will there's a way !

Im into the online thing myself, its a bit of a process but its comparativly cheap and an education at the same time...changing world and all that.

Have a prosperous new year

Pete