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Original poster

What quirky local business do you wish you thought of?

36 replies

Potter10 · 28/08/2023 20:26

Shameless attempt to harvest ideas for a new business venture but here goes.
What local (as in NOT multimillion/store) business have you seen that made you think "I wish I'd have thought of that".
I went to a place in a city recently that was fantastic and think it would do really well in my town but there isn't the right space and lots of other factors.
So with a small amount saved to invest and plenty of time on my hands coming up (youngest child is starting full time soon!) I'm looking for a new business venture.
Any ideas welcome! Kids activities, food outlets, adult activities. Whatever, throw them at me please!!

OP posts:
kipperba · 28/08/2023 20:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

DrMadelineMaxwell · 28/08/2023 20:52

I wish I'd opened a variation on the local sweet shop/craft shop/pancake and ice cream cafe/kids party venue as it is a great place to visit and they are always so busy..
But then I look at how many hours they need to work and how run off their feet they are and rethink quickly.

Original poster
Potter10 · 28/08/2023 21:36

If that's how you interpreted what I said then ok, have a lovely day.

OP posts:
Lovemusic82 · 28/08/2023 21:39

I was considering opening a Pokemon cafe after visiting one, mainly because I want a business my autistic older teens/adults could run.

A lot of dog parks have been opening near me, they seem to be pretty big, people love spending money on their dogs and I know it’s a big thing in other countries (dog parks, dog swimming pools, secure fields etc..).

NoEffingWay · 28/08/2023 21:50

Climbing walls-hugely growing industry with a cache level-can be aimed at kids or serious climbers. Needs investment and a decent space but it's aimed usually at the people who have the most disposable income i.e people in their 20's without kids, who are happy to pay for shoes, memberships and coffee.

wheresmymojo · 28/08/2023 21:56

I always wanted to open a place that was a lovely cafe during the day with an adjoining shop aimed at women that then transitioned into a wine bar in the evenings.

Somewhere very much aimed at women's get togethers...

Or a kind of continental style cafe turned bistro where you can while away some time over coffee in the evening for all those people who'd like to go out at night but aren't into bars.

CuriousPorg · 28/08/2023 22:06

Don't know of one, but as someone who has no time on my own unless I'm working and no help with childcare I'd love to go to a shop that overlooked a soft play so you could keep an eye on the DC but shop in peace.

HundredMilesAnHour · 28/08/2023 22:08

Yorkshire Burrito (a roast dinner wrapped up in a giant Yorkshire pudding like a, er, burrito).@😍

Feebleexcuses · 28/08/2023 22:16

Mobile cocktails bar

TomatoSandwiches · 28/08/2023 22:17

In each main city or large town centre there needs to be a large multilevel building, like a shopping centre catering to the multiple needs for SEN children, their siblings/young carers and children/teens with neurodivergency.
A restaurant on each floor with a AFRID/ food sensory friendly menu, quiet spaces and sensory rooms with staff.
A shopping quater with adapted clothes and special need pushchairs available to test drive on premises and other adaptive items for daily living.
Gaming rooms and child friendly cinemas .
Classes to learn non verbal forms of communication for family members, lectures on neurodivergency and sensory issues.

There's so much you could do that is very much needed.

darkestnights · 29/08/2023 07:42

In our little part of town a 'naice' soft play has just been opened - really small with a carefully controlled number of kids allowed in, a good baby area, and a lovely coffee bar adjoining. It also has a big room at the back for sensory sessions and parties. They've been so slammed by custom since they opened they keep having to close.

Monkeybutt1 · 29/08/2023 08:21

There is a cafe local to me that's a board game cafe, you hire a table for a couple of quid for 3 hours, they have hundreds of board games to choose from, from one's for young children up to adults. My DS loves it. They also host events for pokemon games, have a Dungeons and Dragons club on a weekend which some of DS school friends go to and is very popular. The food is yummy too.

tryingsomethingnew · 29/08/2023 08:42

A beauty/hair place which opens from 4pm till 10pm (maybe). When my children were small, I could put them to bed at 7pm and always thought I wish I could go and get my eyebrows done or a facial after hours. Also, now that I'm working full time, I wish I could go and get something done after hours. Just an idea, not sure if it would work.

Original poster
Potter10 · 29/08/2023 08:50

There's some really good ideas. Thanks souch everyone.

I went to a board game cafe in Copenhagen and thought it was such a good idea, thank you for the reminder!

OP posts:
allthehops · 29/08/2023 08:54

Not the sort of thing you're looking for but I wish I had some land so I could open a dog park. I'd have parts of it under shelter with picnic benches so owners could stay dry while the dogs play.

We have one near us that's always booked out, but it's a bit boring. I'd have a big sandpit and some tunnels to make it more interesting!

allthehops · 29/08/2023 08:55

Potter10 · 29/08/2023 08:50

There's some really good ideas. Thanks souch everyone.

I went to a board game cafe in Copenhagen and thought it was such a good idea, thank you for the reminder!

It sounds great but if people sit down and play a game of monopoly but only buy a couple of coffees, how do they make it financially viable?

Monkeybutt1 · 29/08/2023 09:00

The one I went to you hired the table for a couple of pounds and there was a time limit on how long you had it for

tunainatin · 29/08/2023 09:03

I my town there is a cat cafe. Normal cafe with loads of cats who will come and sit with you. Over 12s only. Also a board game cafe.

ErosandAgape · 29/08/2023 09:22

Monkeybutt1 · 29/08/2023 08:21

There is a cafe local to me that's a board game cafe, you hire a table for a couple of quid for 3 hours, they have hundreds of board games to choose from, from one's for young children up to adults. My DS loves it. They also host events for pokemon games, have a Dungeons and Dragons club on a weekend which some of DS school friends go to and is very popular. The food is yummy too.

That was actually my first thought, too, but the games café in my city closed a few years back — for, I suspect, the same reason that business owners find it hard to make a profit from any businesses that only require a small purchase from a customer to occupy a table for hours. Like the other suggestion up the thread about a bistro turned night-time café for people who don’t like bars to ‘while away’ the evening. A coffee, or two coffees, bought by someone, even several someones, over a couple of hours, isn’t often going to be a viable margin.

A lot will depend on rents and what kind of population lives locally, OP?

Someone was making an absolute killing in the village I used to live in, offering doggy daycare that picked up from and dropped off to your house. So you went to work, the doggy daycare van circled the village, had keys to houses, picked up dogs in the morning, took them off to their premises, dogs got lots of exercise and socialising, and were dropped back late afternoon.

Itsjustme83 · 29/08/2023 09:28

Years ago in our town there used to be a weigh and save shop so they had tubs of food and non food , like washing powder , flour , nuts , fruit , cereal , anything really that you could weigh and u would pay for it like a pic n mix. I think in some towns with the cost of living that would work again. Especially for people living by themselves or with not much money til pay day but need to do a load of washing so they could go get a bit of powder for a pound rather than a box for £5.

SquigglyGum · 29/08/2023 09:36

wheresmymojo · 28/08/2023 21:56

I always wanted to open a place that was a lovely cafe during the day with an adjoining shop aimed at women that then transitioned into a wine bar in the evenings.

Somewhere very much aimed at women's get togethers...

Or a kind of continental style cafe turned bistro where you can while away some time over coffee in the evening for all those people who'd like to go out at night but aren't into bars.

This kind of cafe cum wine bar exists in my area and it is a real hit. Full of mums and book club meet ups. They do cheese boards and charcuterie in the evenings. And live music (nice 1-2 person acts) on thr weekend. Bliss.

hairyunicorn · 29/08/2023 09:38

Humble Crumble - pop up street food stall selling apple / fruit crumble with different toppings.

Gingerline - pop up dining experience

AliceS1994 · 29/08/2023 09:44

Playcafe

NeedTheSeaside · 29/08/2023 09:59

@Potter10 Do you have anything you're interested in or anything you'd hate?

I'd love a play cafe here, but it needs to cater to both aspects really well. A really good cafe where they know how to make a GOOD coffee & nice food. With a great play area, not just a 2x2 m space with a scruffy box of toys.

I'd be happy to pay a few pounds per child As well as for coffee/food. I visualise it as having the play space inside a 'low fenced' off area with the tables around the outside of it. Little areas with a play kitchen, diplomas area, etc

kind of like a play group set up, but with a GOOD cafe.

Valerie23 · 29/08/2023 10:34

Alpaca farm and wool shop.