Rob Maynard says that L.I.F.T Kitchen (Local Incubator for Food Talent) has been created to give successful applicants a leg up when launching their own food businesses.
Part of a new Community Interest Company set up by Maynard and retired chartered accountant Jeremy Thomas, the project is now seeking its first round of applicants.
There will be no fixed fee, with vendors instead paying a percentage of their revenue, which the pair say is below the market rate for hiring equivalent equipment.
As well as access to the trailer, successful applicants will receive hospitality mentoring, industry introductions and business development support.
Vendors will operate in West Sussex, with the hope that they focus on smaller communities where hospitality provision is currently limited.
The founders hope to eventually roll out the scheme beyond West Sussex and acquire additional equipment to support more start-up operators.
Applications are now open on the L.I.F.T Kitchen website.
Maynard says the initiative aims to support both aspiring entrepreneurs and local communities.
“Whether that’s bringing new cuisines to an area, raising the quality of local dining or a mixture of both, the opportunities the industry offers are massive. With almost no barrier to entry on the employment side, there’s scope for young people especially to begin promising careers with long-term prospects without the need for higher education or expensive training,” he says.
But he points out that launching a hospitality business remains out of reach for many due to the high upfront costs involved.
“While funding hospitality businesses has always been challenging, it is now near impossible for anybody without significant collateral. This means that for young entrepreneurs, except those able to access significant capital, the idea of starting their own business is a pipedream.
“Equipment is often the biggest expense when setting up a food business. Our aim is to remove much of that financial burden by providing a fully equipped, turnkey street food trailer with minimal upfront costs, reducing setup expenses by at least 90%.”
“For smaller towns and villages, the arrival of a trailer serving exciting, top-quality food brings a new buzz, a sense of excitement and overall community enhancement,” Maynard adds.
With a CV that includes Ben McKellar’s Gingerman Group and Brighton wine merchant Butler’s Wine Cellar, Maynard founded Wild Flor with James Thomson and Faye Hudson in 2019.
He is also behind wine shop and bar Chanctonbury Wines in the West Sussex village of Steyning, which he co-runs with his wife, Beth.
Last month it was revealed that Wild Flor was expanding through a residency at upcoming Brighton wine bar and restaurant The Vine House.
The partnership will see Wild Flor co-founder Thomson and head chef George Upshall oversee the Kemptown venue’s 50-cover dining room.