Stalls on O’Connell bridge

Beechwoodspark

Does anyone know who is the authority for setting up a stall on OConnell bridge?

Or do you just set up and trade?

My business partner has imported a German hot dog stand which is very tidy in terms of size and width and we want to set up on either o Connell bridge or corner of grafton st and Wicklow st to sell hot dogs street food and coffee/tea etc.

The plan was to start in mid May but due to lockdown we have not started as yet. We want to do it as a trial for a few weeks at first then more regularly

Is there anyone who can advise on this and what is required and also when is the best times for footfall?

Dublin City Council. You will need a casual trading license

https://www.dublincity.ie/casualtrading

Sofiztikated

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Does anyone know who is the authority for setting up a stall on OConnell bridge?

Or do you just set up and trade?

My business partner has imported a German hot dog stand which is very tidy in terms of size and width and we want to set up on either o Connell bridge or corner of grafton st and Wicklow st to sell hot dogs and coffee/tea etc.

The plan was to start in mid May but due to lockdown we have not started as yet. We want to do it as a trial for a few weeks at first then more regularly

Is there anyone who can advise on this and what is required and also when is the best times for footfall?

You bought the stand to be ready for May, yet still don't know the rules and regs, or when is best to operate?

You'll need HACCP, Food Hygiene, and talk to council about permits.

Beechwoodspark

The stand has been in the country since January. It’s the same as the most popular type used in Berlin and other German cities

The plan was always to start trading around mid May and continue until September but to analyse busiest Times and busiest locations for trade

Beechwoodspark

Food hygiene is v important yes. The supplier we are in touch with is a very well known and renowned food supplier for the catering trade.

We are planning on doing Mexican and Brazilian street food along with traditional hot dogs. I think it’ll go down well

Chiorino

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the chances of getting a licence for this will be close to zero. Any prime trading pitches have lengthy waiting lists and when available, will generally go to existing vendors with proven track records.
Markets and private events are going to be your best bet to be honest.

L1011

Having seen the requirements to get a food truck HSE licenced I do not see how a hot dog cart ever can be.

Creamy Goodness

I think you’ll be much better off finding other locations like food markets and or farmers markets. O’Connell street bridge - even with a shred of research - would have been a non-runner let alone spending money before knowing if it was feasible or not.

Beechwoodspark

I doubt a hotdog cart needs to be approved to the same level of restaurants etc.

Also, are the ppl who sell jewelery etc on oconnell bridge licensed by Dublin City council? Seeing them is what gave us the idea to set up on the bridge.

Creamy Goodness

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I doubt a hotdog cart needs to be approved to the same level of restaurants etc.

Also, are the ppl who sell jewelery etc on oconnell bridge licensed by Dublin City council? Seeing them is what gave us the idea to set up on the bridge.

They are licensed, they’d be moved on swiftly if they weren’t.

Word of advice; you’ve come on to boards looking for information that seems like you haven’t done the faintest of google search on and are given off a defensive tone when you’ve not been given the answers you’d like to hear from people who are experienced in this area. I’d recommend listening to them.

Chiorino

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I doubt a hotdog cart needs to be approved to the same level of restaurants etc.

Also, are the ppl who sell jewelery etc on oconnell bridge licensed by Dublin City council? Seeing them is what gave us the idea to set up on the bridge.

Hot Dog carts don't require approval to the same degree as restaurants but still need approval nonetheless.

Yes, the jewellery sellers are licenced by Dublin City Council. They occupy pitches which have been designated expressly for the sale of jewellery.

ted1

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I doubt a hotdog cart needs to be approved to the same level of restaurants etc.

Also, are the ppl who sell jewelery etc on oconnell bridge licensed by Dublin City council? Seeing them is what gave us the idea to set up on the bridge.

“I doubt”. Yeah good luck

fleet_admiral

Does your business partner work on the apron in Dublin Airport?

Beechwoodspark

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

They are licensed, they’d be moved on swiftly if they weren’t.

Word of advice; you’ve come on to boards looking for information that seems like you haven’t done the faintest of google search on and are given off a defensive tone when you’ve not been given the answers you’d like to hear from people who are experienced in this area. I’d recommend listening to them.

I’m not in the least defensive.

We also done research - my business partner has got v positive feedback from the city local enterprise board for example.

Beechwoodspark

fleet_admiral wrote: »

Does your business partner work on the apron in Dublin Airport?

What??

Here you go. Plenty actual facts here. https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/starting_business.html

The important bit is “All food businesses, big or small, whether operating from a business premises, in the home or from a mobile unit or food stall, must be aware of the legislation regarding food hygiene and food safety. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring the food you produce is safe.”

Beechwoodspark

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Here you go. Plenty actual facts here. https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/starting_business.html

The important bit is “All food businesses, big or small, whether operating from a business premises, in the home or from a mobile unit or food stall, must be aware of the legislation regarding food hygiene and food safety. Ultimately, you are responsible for ensuring the food you produce is safe.”

Fully support that as previously said. Thank you

Caranica

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

I doubt a hotdog cart needs to be approved to the same level of restaurants etc.

A hotdog cart has at least as much chance as a restaurant of giving you food poisoning. So yes the hygiene standards are high, probably higher due to lack of access to running water.

Beechwoodspark

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Fully support that as previously said. Thank you

Fully support, but have you gotten it all done? No point in applying for a permit without having all the foundations done.

Beechwoodspark

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Fully support, but have you gotten it all done? No point in applying for a permit without having all the foundations done.

Leave it with me! Working on it as we speak - on hold to the city council

Riki_road

Dont have advise for you but it would be nice to be able to get a sao paulan hot dog on the way home so hope it works out for you

Beechwoodspark

fleet_admiral wrote: »

Does your business partner work on the apron in Dublin Airport?

Think this guy is joking we will be using roadkill

Far from it. Good quality meat only

fleet_admiral

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

What??

German friend of mine wanted to do the same thing as your friend last year

Esel

Wasn't there serious trouble on Lesson Street years ago over hamburger stand 'rights'? Someone was shot; the General may have been involved.

https://www.maverickhouse.com/books/the-general-and-i/

I thought of that too on first reading the thread. The author was shot in the leg according to an old Indo article.

L1011

Council entirely stopped night-time pitches after that as far as I know.


I vaguely remember there being hamburger carts on Harcourt Street in the mid 00s but they would scarper at the sight of blue lights.

RasTa

If this was in the UK, it would take a week or so. No chance of it happening in Ireland it's so backwards.

RasTa

RasTa wrote: »

If this was in the UK, it would take a week or so. No chance of it happening in Ireland it's so backwards.

Never miss a trick.

RasTa

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

Never miss a trick.

Never.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80031541.html

Buy this house for 75k(325k for same in stoneybatter) move over set up hot dog business and retire.

so so easy.

machiavellianme

L1011 wrote: »

Council entirely stopped night-time pitches after that as far as I know.


I vaguely remember there being hamburger carts on Harcourt Street in the mid 00s but they would scarper at the sight of blue lights.

But there's a Garda station on that st so would always have blue lights?

What about Sheas hotdog and burger van that turns up on Wexford St every weekend night?

RasTa

RasTa wrote: »

Never.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80031541.html

Buy this house for 75k(325k for same in stoneybatter) move over set up hot dog business and retire.

so so easy.

It’s in England though. You’d want to be given the 75k.

Anyway, the OP wants to set up one in Dublin.

RasTa

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

It’s in England though. You’d want to be given the 75k.

Anyway, the OP wants to set up one in Dublin.

OP has no chance like I already said. Best bet is doing it illegally at GAA matches and such. Although COVID has put a stop to that.

He could also try setting up in a business park

Muahahaha

I remember there used to be a hot dog stall on the southside of OConnell bridge circa 2006. It didnt last though for some reason. I dont think the council would allow it now but even if they did Id expect some sort of criminal gang to be asking for protection money.

As others said things like festivals would be a better outlet. Though that said the competition there can be fierce when organisers sell lots of traders space but allow too many stalls for the size of the crowd. Hot dogs might be a difficult sell when surrounded by gourmet burger stalls, wood fired pizza, etc.

spurious

I had a couple of friends tried to get a similar small food outlet going about 7 or 8 years ago for festivals and the like. They found a virtual brick wall when approaching councils and some rather 'robust' players already in the market, which in the end was what put them off.

Chiorino

spurious wrote: »

I had a couple of friends tried to get a similar small food outlet going about 7 or 8 years ago for festivals and the like. They found a virtual brick wall when approaching councils and some rather 'robust' players already in the market, which in the end was what put them off.

I have regular dealings with councils & the public related to the likes of this and unfortunately (no judgement on your friends) the amount of complete dreamers they get applying to set up burger vans, hot dog stalls etc. is unreal and would wear you down after a while. There can also be a huge difference depending on where in the country you are and what council you are dealing with. Some are very pro, others not interested in the slightest.

With festivals and the likes, most operators have their regular vendors who they know and trust and would rightly be reluctant to put their own reputation on the line for an unknown trader. Bear in mind also, most of these guys didn't just appear at the big gigs overnight. Most have spent years at the small crappy markets and events building up a track record and developing relationships.

Polar101

I'm pretty surprised such strict standards exist.. some of the stuff you can buy at food markets definitely doesn't look like it had any licenses backing it.

rom

Polar101 wrote: »

I'm pretty surprised such strict standards exist.. some of the stuff you can buy at food markets definitely doesn't look like it had any licenses backing it.

Markets from what I have seen normally operate under a single entity. They allow people to come in and setup. They charge a fee for this. I suspect that that person then is responsible for the hygiene related standards and set out the criteria for each stall to operate. I have seen this person in a local market. So basically if you have an issue you need to address it to the person who is running the market as if they are in breach the whole market would be closed down.

Cienciano

There's a reason you see pretty much zero stalls in Dublin. It's pretty much impossible. And businesses who have premises in the area will object to everything. The way they see it is why should they have to pay huge rates to trade on somewhere like Westmorland street when a guy with a cart can come along and do it for nothing.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see food like this available in Dublin, but I can't see it happening. Stuff like "where's your toilet" is going to stop it.

Chiorino

Cienciano wrote: »

And businesses who have premises in the area will object to everything.

This is quite true however if a designated trading pitch exists in an area, unless the street trader is taking the piss/not adhering to their licence conditions, there's nothing the objector can do other than have a moan.

Muahahaha

Cienciano wrote: »

There's a reason you see pretty much zero stalls in Dublin. It's pretty much impossible. And businesses who have premises in the area will object to everything. The way they see it is why should they have to pay huge rates to trade on somewhere like Westmorland street when a guy with a cart can come along and do it for nothing.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see food like this available in Dublin, but I can't see it happening. Stuff like "where's your toilet" is going to stop it.

Yeah and businesses are justifiably pissed off. Which makes what DCC allow to happen on Henry St at Christmas even more bizarre. Like of Arnotts and Jervis paying huge money in rates and then the council allow traders to swan in and sell tat at the busiest point in the retail year.

I know the council do allow in or around 20 or 30 casual trading pitches for food vendors on match days and concerts in Lansdowne Road. That could be an option for the OP but it would still only be five or six days a year.

Galadriel

There are a couple of vans at the top of Stephen's Green/Harcourt Street area. And as someone already mentioned one on Camden Street.