I’ve been doing outdoor markets with the Svengali cards recently, and whilst it’s going reasonably well (considering the rubbish weather in the U.K. at this time of year), I’ve noticed a few other operators working out of the side of converted vans / trailers.

These are mainly coffee vendors, hot food vendors and butchers. They drive up, life up one side of the vehicle to create a makeshift awning / roof for the punters to stand under and are able to start to trading straight away. At the end of the day, they just lower the side down again, and drive off.

No messing about with a gazebo, weighting it down with guy ropes, putting up flags, buntings and banners... because you could have all the flash painted on the side of the van and behind you on the inside wall.

It’d also mean I could trade at festivals with ease, or near the beach in tourist areas.

I guess I could even work out the back off a pick up truck, if I constructed some sort of roof.

Does anyone have any experience of doing this or anything similar with carnival shows, or know a good place to start?

There is a manufacturer in Derby that makes these sort of adaptations. I don't know the name or the location other than ... it's just off from Spider Island (which is nor the actual name of a roundabout. So it's not very helpful Sorry!

Ken Dean has been in the market for vans and trailers in the past so he may well be worth getting in touch with.

Other people, it may be worth contacting in the Uk:

Michael Diamond.
John Marshal
Alec (Can't recall surname) used to run the magic car boot. He was linked with the circus world I think so may well know someone who does this sort of work.

I guess the big question will be what is your budget. You may end up doing it yourself?

Hopefully that's enough to get you started- but sorry I could not be more helpful.

Thank you, that’s really helpful!

Insurance companies will not insure a converted truck as a mobile home.

Hi ringmaster,

Some do, some don’t. You just have to look around.

And we are in different countries too.....