looking at starting a buisness what does sheffield need??
any ideas guys??

Surely you should have a concept [and thus a passion for your products] before deciding to start a business? Ideally you should have a considerable degree of experience in your business of choice also. Going in without a clear business concept and no experience spells disaster to me.

Traffic light maintenance maybe?

Originally posted by JonJParr
Surely you should have a concept [and thus a passion for your products] before deciding to start a business? Ideally you should have a considerable degree of experience in your business of choice also. Going in without a clear business concept and no experience spells disaster to me.

That's a bit harsh. hachandhach didn't say he/she was doin it tomorrow did they?? Sometimes you just need to look at gaps in any market before you try and fill em, then you can become an expert and think about business plans etc..

Originally posted by Hoofie
Sometimes you just need to look at gaps in any market before you try and fill em, then you can become an expert and think about business plans etc..
Good point - doing your research is the key here. Look at the population within the vicinity of your planned business. Who are they? What do they want/need? Is there something missing? Or perhaps already a service there that you feel you could do better?

small businesses are the backbone of british business and so anything you setup would be great.

All the small shops in our area are on the decrease because of the big supermarkets.

Recently i was asked by a new resident in the area if there was a laundrette. i had to say there hadnt been one in the area for about 10 years but i would say one is needed with the amount of flats and people living on their own.

thats one idea of billions

Originally posted by Hadron
Recently i was asked by a new resident in the area if there was a laundrette. i had to say there hadnt been one in the area for about 10 years but i would say one is needed with the amount of flats and people living on their own.

I live on my own in a flat, but I have a washing machine. I couldn't be doing with having to take my clothes to a laundrette, and I feel that, outside Albert Square, this will be the case up and down the country.

Think it through carefully, very few small businesses survive.

thanks hoofie, as you said im not starting it tomorrow just throwing some ideas around as my dad whats to start a business or buy a franchise he asked me too look into things for him just wondered what people of sheffield think it needs.

JonJParr - my father is a 46 yr old man with rather a lot of experience, from working in the army to currently working for the United Nations in africa in control of setting up missions and keeping peace, need i say anymore. besides im doing the research for him.

instead of criticising why not answer the question asked!!

metalman - Traffic light maintenance good idea that one....

thanks guys keep them comming

How about a furniture store, specialising in cheap, flat-packed, Swedish-designed stuff?

Don't think the council would let you though. ;)

Originally posted by hachandhach
instead of criticising why not answer the question asked!!


I don't think it was a criticism - setting up your own business is very very hard work and the majority do not suceed. In my work I have seen people's businesses fail, and them lose a lot of money, and worse their livelyhood and in many cases their hopes and dreams, because of a lack of simple planning, knowledge and research.

Fair to say Sheffield desperately needs a 'Chavbuster'

Get yourself an old hearse, 3 mates, some patented 'Rockport detectors' and a few guns.

You'll make a fortune.

thanks for the advice but all has been considered.

this might sound really stroppy, ( its NOT directed at you Andy) its just you read through the threads people have put on, and guranteed someone either criticises, or puts some smart alec comment that is nothing to do with the question asked.

all i would like to know is what businesses would the people of sheffield like to see???????????????????????????

i dont want any advice on running a business or how to do this that and the other, i have all that.

thanks to those of you who have replyed with good ideas

A decent indepenent music shop please!!!!!!

The way some people on here talk about Starbucks and Subway, a little coffee and sandwich shop would go down very well.

JonJParr was right about having a basic knowledge or enthusiasm about what you are going to get into. The only way to successfully approach it from the other angle is to take a broader view. To do this you really need experience and often large amounts of capital.

We have run a couple of businesses realtively successfully but started from the position of 'what do we know most about?', 'what are we enthusiastic about?', then you move on to 'is there an opportunity or unfulfilled need going begging out there, that could benefit from these skills/strengths?'

From the other angle we know a very successful businessman whose strength is spotting underperforming businesses that he can turn around and sell on for a profit. He does huge amounts of research into anything before he goes into them but is conscious of his strengths, he finds the best people to help where he is weak. He is extremely clever at what he does.

Don't criticise JonJParr, he may not have answered the question but it was common sense in his reply.

I didn't get the relevance of your Dad working for the UN by the way?

Originally posted by hachandhach
this might sound really stroppy, ( its NOT directed at you Andy) its just you read through the threads people have put on, and guranteed someone either criticises, or puts some smart alec comment that is nothing to do with the question asked.

Such is the nature of a discussion.

i dont want any advice on running a business or how to do this that and the other, i have all that.

I feel you can never have too much advice, and certainly in my experience those businesses are sucessfull are the ones that have sought and listened to advice.

Anyway, we could do with a nice cafe where you can get good, home cooked food at a reasonable price. An internet cafe seems to be lacking in Sheffield too, although I don't know what demand for this would be.

With your father's expeience you might like to consider some kind of security work, although there is no shortage of firms in this industry already.

How about a chinese buffet?? I really think one of those would go down a storm!!
:D

Don't you think that if anyone of us had a great business idea we would either be implementing or keeping quiet about it.

I certainly wouldn't be giving it away to someone who asks about it on the internet.

Originally posted by hachandhach
JonJParr - my father is a 46 yr old man with rather a lot of experience, from working in the army to currently working for the United Nations in africa in control of setting up missions and keeping peace, need i say anymore. besides im doing the research for him.

instead of criticising why not answer the question asked!!

Hachandhach - my previous comments were not a criticism of your intentions to start a business. They were merely an observation based on the information that you provided. As a business consultant I have a lot of experience working with companies [albeit most of them are large corporations] to engineer business and delivery plans, milestone maps and conduct efficiency reviews. My experiences in the field have taught me that a passion for the product coupled with a sound sense of business acumen and far-reaching knowledge of the market are crucial to the success and survival of any business.
My advice would be to have a clearly defined concept for a business before you ever consider starting a business. I would say that your father's experience from being in the armed forces is excellent - but inviting suggestions from the floor [which could range anything from selling kitchen work surfaces to engineering microprocessors] is a rather scattergun approach to finding a business that suits you.
Every client I've ever worked with has had a clear set of objectives when they began the process of forming a business. None of them have ever asked me to suggest a business concept to them - after all, choosing the direction of your venture is an extremely personal thing [given that it's going to be your employment].

If at the end of the day you don't want to take my advice that's your entirely perogative. I just wouldn't want to see you lose confidence and, ultimately your own money because a good idea turned out to be an unprofitable business.

:)

Originally posted by hachandhach
thanks for the advice but all has been considered.

this might sound really stroppy, ( its NOT directed at you Andy) its just you read through the threads people have put on, and guranteed someone either criticises, or puts some smart alec comment that is nothing to do with the question asked.

all i would like to know is what businesses would the people of sheffield like to see???????????????????????????

i dont want any advice on running a business or how to do this that and the other, i have all that.

thanks to those of you who have replyed with good ideas

You're right lad, it does sound stroppy.

One serious word of advice though - judging by your oversensitive reaction to some of the replies on here - I would recommend that whatver business you decide on, you let someone with a little more charm deal with the public - may I suggest Wayne Rooney?

JW.

Originally posted by alchresearch
The way some people on here talk about Starbucks and Subway, a little coffee and sandwich shop would go down very well.

I agree – when I saw this thread I immediately thought “a decent sandwich shop”! Sheffield is severely lacking in these compared to other cities. The sandwich shops that are around tend to be either the big chains, or amatuerish. We need somewhere that makes sandwiches to order (so you don’t have to take what’s already made up), on a variety of different breads (not just small or large breadcake!), with numerous fillings (from what I’ve seen of most sandwich shops it’s various different sliced meat, or bacon/sausage/egg type stuff). Simple things like coronation chicken seem to be beyond most sandwich shops in Sheffield! And also needs a good range of quality sweets/desserts, instead of horrible dried up bits of flapjack.

good music shop !!!

good bar !!!!!

anything a bit different in the city centre

Originally posted by hachandhach
what does sheffield need?

24 hour public toilets.

Originally posted by Johnnywarren
You're right lad, it does sound stroppy.

One serious word of advice though - judging by your oversensitive reaction to some of the replies on here - I would recommend that whatver business you decide on, you let someone with a little more charm deal with the public - may I suggest Wayne Rooney?

JW.

my current job is dealing with the public and ive never had a problem so far, and ive been doing my job for a number of years.

also the business isnt for me its for my father, im RESEARCHING

Originally posted by hachandhach
my current job is dealing with the public and ive never had a problem so far, and ive been doing my job for a number of years.

also the business isnt for me its for my father, im RESEARCHING

Right-o

The business you need - a kebab house that delivers out to the hope valley!!

Remember where you heard it first!

Originally posted by hachandhach
also the business isnt for me its for my father, im RESEARCHING

Doesn't he know what kind of business he wants to start? Starting a business isn't like asking a waiter for the specials - you have to know what you want.
You can't go into a bank and say "I'd like to borrow £250,000 to start a business. Oh and by the way, what kind of business do you think I should start?"

Open a decent menswear shop, a big one with a bit more choice and some decent designer labels.

Originally posted by alchresearch
How about a furniture store, specialising in cheap, flat-packed, Swedish-designed stuff?

Don't think the council would let you though. ;)

Funny that should be sugested, my friend just got a marketing job in Atlanta that sells this kind of furniture, they can't make it fast enought to keep up with sales... all made in China and finished off in the States...talk about selling HOT CAKES !

The possibilities are endless!

Sandwich shops allways go down a treat! Sheffield still has a rather large industrial area down towards the Tinsley area!!!!

Remember when opening a sandwich shop it is more than possible to achieve 100% profit on some sales!!!!!!!!

Ive considered it myself, as i work in the building trade and as im sure most contractors or people in the same sector would agree, were all partial to a bacon buttie while we work!!!!

The only thing is to find the right area to position yourself whether you by premises or get a trailor kitchen!

Originally posted by matt1889

Remember when opening a sandwich shop it is more than possible to achieve 100% profit on some sales!!!!!!!!


What would you be selling at 100% profit? :confused:

-PK-

Originally posted by GimmeSomePK
What would you be selling at 100% profit? :confused:

-PK-

Easy - a chicken salad sandwich costs you about 75p to make. You sell it for at least £1.60 and there you go that's more than 100% profit.

I often lie awake pondering questions such as: what purpose do Daddy Long-legs serve? and what purpose do fundamentalists serve, evolutionarily-speaking? The clincher is: what is it exactly that business advisers are skilled at? But now I know you're a sharp-honed chicken buttie price analyst when you're not bon viving I'll sleep more easily in my bed. Business Link must be proud.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Easy - a chicken salad sandwich costs you about 75p to make. You sell it for at least £1.60 and there you go that's more than 100% profit.

so why is it that hazelwood foods (greencore plc) doesn't have a 100% ROI?

Maybe because there are a lot more costs to take into consideration than just the raw materials that make up that sandwich?

Maybe your looking into the bigger picture too much Cyclone????? and i dont mean that in the wrong way either!!

Sandwich shops are so successful, the costs of operarting are minimal and the turnover very satisfactory, ok not everything your sell is going to be 100% profit but most are!!!!!

I love it. After 10+ years doing sandwiches of one sort or another, and a couple running another catering outlet I just hoot with laughter at how all you pen pushers behind desks think that catering, and a sandwich shop in particular is an easy way to riches.

Matt 1889 - What costs are minimal? How does the turnover become satisfactory? Do you just open the doors and people flood in ? How do you make sure most things are 100% profit (imposible by the way unless they are gifted to you).

Youv'e all got the calculations and percentages wrong by the way.

Brilliant thread haven't laughed so much for ages.

Still haven't found out why your Dad working for the UN is relevant?

Originally posted by matt1889
Maybe your looking into the bigger picture too much Cyclone????? and i dont mean that in the wrong way either!!

Sandwich shops are so successful, the costs of operarting are minimal and the turnover very satisfactory, ok not everything your sell is going to be 100% profit but most are!!!!!

If it was that easy, firstly there'd be a lot more of them (which would rapidly drive down price due to competition) and secondly, we'd all be investing in them as a 100% margin is amazing.

I think you'll find that paying the staff, throwing away wastage, renting a property, paying the bills and all the other bits and pieces like that render it more like a 10% ROI if it's doing well.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Easy - a chicken salad sandwich costs you about 75p to make. You sell it for at least £1.60 and there you go that's more than 100% profit.

Isn't that more than 100% mark up not profit?

If you sell a sandwich for £1.60 and it cost you 75p in stock to make then that's 85p or about 53% gross profit. That's before you take away expenses such as staff, electricity rates etc to give you a net profit.

-PK-

I've not been in Sheffield that long, but it is plain to see that people here just adore their cats! There's a really successful cat shop in York, so my suggestion would be a shop selling all things catty, covering all price ranges. hth.

Originally posted by matt1889
Sandwich shops are so successful, the costs of operarting are minimal and the turnover very satisfactory, ok not everything your sell is going to be 100% profit but most are!!!!!

There are loads of sandwich shops though - look on West Street where you have Lunchbox, Relish, Subway, Delishus and probably more that I've forgotten about.

Why do we need more?

Depends where abouts in Sheffield you want to start a business to what the particular demand is in that area.

Originally posted by Andy
There are loads of sandwich shops though - look on West Street where you have Lunchbox, Relish, Subway, Delishus and probably more that I've forgotten about.

Why do we need more?

Compared to other cities there really isn't that many, and certainly not much variety between the ones that are around. Go away from the West Street area and you will be hard pressed to find a decent range of sandwich shops offering good quality, made to order sandwiches, together with a good variety of sweets/savoury snacks. Certainly all the sandwich shops near where I work only offer various different types of sliced meat and the choice between a breadcake and a large breadcake!

Originally posted by JonJParr
Doesn't he know what kind of business he wants to start? Starting a business isn't like asking a waiter for the specials - you have to know what you want.
You can't go into a bank and say "I'd like to borrow £250,000 to start a business. Oh and by the way, what kind of business do you think I should start?"

HE HAS A IDEA of what he wants i was Researching to find out what is needed in sheffield(to see if it is the same as what he wants to do), also he wont be going to the bank for a loan, cash buyer.

i didnt know u where a business consultant, ill know where to send him if he wants advice on any thing.

looks like sandwich shop is what everyone wants so far.

the best business idea I ever heard was telepathic pizza delivery

oO(I could just murder an anchovy and....)

*DING DONG* "Pizza Delivery!"

Belgo's

They are a chain of belgium restaurants.

They haven't made it up north yet which is a real shame.

Something like this would be great if not Belgo's itself.

Mussles & chips, belgian beer of all types in different shaped glasses. Wild boar sausages, big green lipped mussles grilled with various toppings. Staff all wear different uniforms such as trapist monks that originally made the beer. Its great.

Check it out belgo-restaurants.com

not sure what you'd call it but a room full of clothes driers (the electric ones) like a laundette but no washing machins. Lots of rented accomedation comes with washing machine but not a drier, and usually have limited drying opportunities. and the laudrettes near me won't let you use their driers if you haven't washed your clothes there.

24 hour toliets would be fantastic and if you could team it with showers, would be fantastic. like what they have in airports business suites. a lot of people would like to cycle / run to work but don't due to lack of showering facilities at their workplace so maybe a central area could be popular. I know a few people to take advanage of gyms to use their facilities so i think there is a market out there.

Went to Alton Towers recently and after the river rapids and log flume there are drying booths. Like a phone booth but with a number of heated elements which you stand in and it dries your clothes off. Excellent for when you've been caught out without an umberlla in town. could lease them to large office building for their lobbys, similarily shopping centres or hotels. or have them as free standing cubicals in city centers or transport hubs on coin operation.

I realise that these are all clothes and drying related but got onto a train of thought and went with it.... these are open for all to use. I don't have the capital to do them but would if I could.

Why not look to what we haven't got rather than what we already have hundreds of.. If you go down hillsboro' , every other shop sells sandwiches of some kind.

Maybe you should look at services, if your father is into giving aid and help overseas, I would imagine he has picked up quite a few handy skills, people always need services, wether it be a bit of gardening or someone to take the crap out of the gutter. Your unlikely to hit on a winner strigh away but good luck any way.

I know this has already been said on this post, but I wouild like to stress it again. It is the worst kind of disaster waiting to happen if you look for "any" business without really having experience in that particular field. The only way this ever suceeds if by buying into a very simple frachise that gives training during a boom and only then if you have enough business sense to pick a territory that will make money.

Some people have suggested getting business advice and that you can't get enough. This isn't really true. What you have to get is the right sort of advice from someone without a vested interest. I am dealing with a company at the moment that paid for business advice from an "advisor" who gave them what is quite possibly the worst set of advice I have ever seen. This included charging for helping to recruit someone who they didn't really need and who was sacked within 2 weeks having failed to turn up more than two days in that time.

Having experience "in a particular field" doesn't necessarily mean as a paid job. A good example of this would be mothers who have seen a gap in the market related to bringing up children.

You could always start a franchise for this lot....

An absolutely brilliant idea.

www.scooterman.co.uk (http://www.scooterman.co.uk/)

(a tip for you - The Hope Valley is crying out for this service, and I guarantee you'd make a fortune...Listen to JW!!)

Sheffield needs a really good pie shop - check out this one in Bristol for inspiration www.pieminister.co.uk

Originally posted by Johnnywarren
You could always start a franchise for this lot....

An absolutely brilliant idea.

www.scooterman.co.uk (http://www.scooterman.co.uk/)

(a tip for you - The Hope Valley is crying out for this service, and I guarantee you'd make a fortune...Listen to JW!!)

so why haven't you done it?

A good bussiness would be to open a video rental shop in Heeley, the nearest one to me is on London Road and it's rubbish. You would make a killing.

You mentioned looking at buying a franchise; the national franchise exhibition is in Birmingham soon see http://www.british-franchise.org/

Im soooo glad someone asked this question!!!

Sheffield needs a late night cafe in the city centre and no the kebab shops does not count!! A place where the night/morning shift workers can go in and have some nice food and/or a cuppa before starting or finishing work or for the clubbers to wind down or even the insomnaics to chill!

Newcastle which is smaller than Sheffield it has a late night cafe and it does great food and service aint bad either! Manchester and obviously London has loads! (the 24 hr chinese restaurant nr leicester square is great! :thumbsup: )

IF someone opened a late night cafe it would make a killing. Theres a market for it and surprised noone has opened one yet...

I have 2 very good business ideas up my sleeve.
One if food based related the other advertising .... the food one would be a localised business (i.e. Sheffield - centre preferred) and the advertising one could potentially be international (depending on success).

If anyone has any knowledge of either trade and is interested in capitol investment as well as on hand investment feel free to drop me a line.
They're both good ideas but time constraints prohibit me right now from just taking the plunge alone.

Think a mobile Fresh Fish van would be good!.
Like the one at Bakewell Farmers Market!
The stuff in most supermarkets pongs a bit!.
And fresh fish is so good for you!

I thought I'll throw my two pence in. ANY idea is a good idea. I think the OP wanted to ask for public opinion on what is needed. Though in reality, I do agree with what's been said about being 'passionate' in your line of business. When things go wrong, you *know* where to look for the solution cos your mind is thinking of such things 24/7. Cos you're so passionate about it, you will have ideas of what to do next.

I've not ever started a business myself, but obviously seen many family member do the catering trade in Sheffield. By passion, we mean down to the lowest level of how a recipe works. What tiny ingredients *makes* a good product from a bad one. Also, what are people's tastes ? What are the current trends ? Where is the best location for this. Who are the target audiences. How much should you price an item. What are your profit margins ? How much are your supplies/ingredients ?

If I was the OP, I would consider finding the people who are passionate in what they do, and be a silent investor. Obviously, you will find people who are passionate in their job. Though I'm not sure how it will work with the investor. i.e. who has more control and power on what is spent etc.

Catering is always an area you can go into, but however, you also need to consider an exit route too. In ANY business. When something is not working, pull yourself out and call it a day. Don't let your finances cripple you senseless. You can always start again somewhere else.

You also need to think about who your competitors are too. Too many restaurants in a particular area will also kill the trade. There's only a set number of people in Sheffield. How many of the same type of restaurant does it need ? Even McD cannot compete and closed another down. Starbucks / Subway franchaises have just hit us, but they will die down too at one point in time until the next set of chain restaurants starts up.

If you're forward thinking, you can tap into the next wave of restaurants and try to sell that. It isn't easy though ! Especially if the market is not right for it. Chains like Starbucks / Subway .... all these kind of 'higher end' of the High Streets only comes to a city when the buying power is there. If people don't spend that kind of money, they're not likely to come.

Oh, I also want to dispute the point about *why* don't people start up their business if their idea is such a good one. Cos having an idea to implementing it is two different kettle of fish. Finding the right people to make your business work is also important. I think I've been watching to much of Dragon's Den. :D

I think a business selling, renting, maintaining and reparing the outside patio heaters will take off as soon as the smoking ban kicks in!

To find out what business Sheffield needs you ought to devise a comprehensive questionnaire and do some market research - time consuming but worth it. By doing this you can identify gaps in the market. Obviously you've started researching by putting a post on the Forum but without structured questions you don't get structured answers.

I'd also look for business that could be expanded easily in the future.

By the way it took me years to figure out what type of business to open!

I think you probably headed your thread wrong here matey! You should have left out the bit about looking to start a business, then the thread would not have been full of "know it alls" trying to offer their unsolicited advice. I suggest the majority of business / management consultants maybe teach because they cant...?

Sheffield needs a decent bus service

I think Sheffield needs some good quality shops where folk can buy good quality nicely cut clothes etc.

looking at starting a buisness what does sheffield need??
any ideas guys??

HOw about a WET FISH & GAME SHOP as we on Darnall have been without for the past 15 years and is greatly missed.
the last time we bought a rabbit was from Bakewll and this was caught on the Chatsworth estate by their gamekeer. when cooked it it was like butter in your mouth.
the nearest wet fish shop is about 3 miles away which is our local super market and the fish from their is actually rubbish.

p/s like you stated, these are only ideas.

juliediane

looking at starting a buisness what does sheffield need??
any ideas guys??

My son keeps asking the self same question and I'm neither use nor ornament to him as I would have started it myself if only I knew what it was. Perhaps you should ask yourself 'What would I like to use that isn't available to me?'. What are your hobbies and could you start a business on the back of them?

I wonder what went on in Bill Gates mind prior to him starting his business, if he could bottle it and sell it he would make another fortune.

The best of luck to you.

An equivalent Afflecks Palace (Manchester)!! You'd make a killing since the only other shops vaguely selling the same kind of stuff (eg Forum n that one opposite) are small and mostly bloody expensive!

How many moshers are there in Sheffield? Loads!

Erm, a decent internet cafe wouldn't be such a bad idea. Sheffield lacks decent alternative clothing stores like the ones found in the forum on Division Street. I would prefer to see more of these in Sheffield and would encourage me to shop more in city centre.

A decent bus service?

(based on other peoples perceptions, of course)

looking at starting a buisness what does sheffield need??
any ideas guys??

How about a bus company? First have a monopoly on most routes and there is plenty of scope to get a share of the market. Just think how many passengers you could pick up if you got to a bus stop just before First did.

Perhaps a spelling teacher? Needed badly, although the demand may not be there....

When i was in australia, every city i went to had a least 5 Cyber cafes, where you could go and either browse the internet or play the latest computer games, they only used to charge $2 an hour which is about 80p they also sold loadsa snacks and some of the really good ones (like i-star zone in sydney) sold computer accesories, mp3 players, sound cards everything, i really miss them and id love it if sheffield had one............hint hint !

Surely you should have a concept [and thus a passion for your products] before deciding to start a business? Ideally you should have a considerable degree of experience in your business of choice also. Going in without a clear business concept and no experience spells disaster to me.
A great deal of successful businessmen have something that can't be taught - no fear of failure, a good idea, drive, ambition and the ability to either see a gap in the market and go for it or to have a nak of finding a USP (Unique Selling Point - every successful business needs one) that makes their business succeed.

My Dad is a very successful businessman and made his business succeed through determination, sheer hard work and a refusal to accept failure, even when many lesser mortals would have thrown in the towel. I remember just over 10 years ago we had the bailiffs knocking on the door demanding money because the business was close to insolvency and yet now, it turns over far in excess of £6 million a year and he has no money worries at all.

I'm very proud of him for sticking to his principles and never sponge off him for money because as far as I'm concerned, he's worked bloody hard for it and deserves it. I say that if you have a great idea which you are confident will succeed then stick at it, even if things look tough because you never know, eventually you might just succeed!!

How about a bus company? First have a monopoly on most routes and there is plenty of scope to get a share of the market. Just think how many passengers you could pick up if you got to a bus stop just before First did.

I reckon a small bus company would make a mint of money at the moment with the backlash and dislike of the other major company in Sheffield by the travelling public.