Although commonly used as a transport method, there are many opportunities to be taken when it comes to derelict buses. We’ve all heard of street food van vendors – but there are plenty of plucky entrepreneurs giving the humble bus a new identity and operating successful BUSinesses!
Do you want to venture out with your business idea and bring it to life? All it takes is the right combination of knowledge, funding and daring.
Here are some of the best examples from around the UK and the world. Together with Stagecoach, we show you how these entrepreneurs sold more than just bus fares on their buses!
Sleep the night away on the hotel bus
Looking to spend the night somewhere a bit different to your average hotel? Some plucky entrepreneurs have transformed buses into hotels, such as East Yorkshire businessman, Oliver Kemp, who has created BEDROAM – a functional mobile hotel for use at events such as festivals. The bus features 18 luxury sleeping pods, two bathrooms and an outdoor space.
To transform the bus from its former look cost Kemp £60,000 — it’s even been featured on architectural television programmes. Proof that with a bit of ingenuity, you can turn space-saving ideas into mobile business success!
Following suit, an Australian businessman converted his bus into another sleeping hot spot — but this time for the homeless. These ‘sleepbuses’ are designed to shelter rough sleepers overnight.
Boutique shopping on a bus
Looking to do your shopping elsewhere? Move where the people are by building your own shop on a bus. That’s what Lesley Tindle did, transforming an old Fiat Ducato community bus into a mini boutique.
Using incredible technology, the bus can actually expand to display the products to shoppers at different events and festivals. This idea shows the versatility of buses, allowing an owner to easily transport stock and sell it directly from their bus.
Work the day away in a bus
Sick of working in the same coffee shop day in, day out and want somewhere where you can be a little more creative? In some areas of the country, just having an area to focus on work can be costly as offices, hot desks and co-working spaces increase in price.
However, Rishi Chowdhury has created the perfect alternative to give workers a more suitable space — and they only need to pay the ticket price. The bus itself cost around £12,000 and the conversion cost up to £30,000 – but the vehicle acted as the IncuBus office space, hosting up to five startups at any one time. It’s proof that an innovative idea can work well, if you’ve got the business sense to try it.
Socialise with friends at the bus bar
One bus, christened Leyla, is the result of a 1966 Leyland Titan being renovated by owners David Humphreys and Alex Robinson. They spent around £60,000 converting it into a fully equipped bar, complete with a lounge area upstairs. Run as a private hire event attraction, this is just one example of a bar renovation.
A VIP bar has been created by a Russian businessperson, the bus simply drives around the city and you can dance all night long. Where some party busses in the UK are designed to get revellers from one location to another, Alexander Berest’s party bus is meant to be the destination.
There are many areas that you need to look at when it comes to converting your bus into a bar; including licences to serve alcohol. You’ll also need to pay concession costs for events you attend, which can be pricey.
Dine with your loved one in the bus restaurant
You’ll be able to encounter a new experience when dining on a bus, and it’ll be something that’s definitely Insta-worthy! There have been a number of bus restaurant conversions in the UK – though one of the most popular is the Crust Conductor, which serves pizzas in its 34 seater restaurant. As a mobile business, it can visit festivals and food events but is primarily housed in London.
There are many benefits of having a bus business, from being able to travel and not having as many restrictions. Buses are traditionally used as transport vehicles – but as the future pushes innovation and conventions are challenged, it will come as no surprise to see more entrepreneurs stretching the limits of what can be achieved with a bus-borne business. However, with most people’s renovations costing upwards of £30,000, you’ll need plenty of investment behind you. Crowdfunding, anyone?
