Street Food Incubator Update: 34 New Traders Prepare to Launch

There’s a new wave of street food traders getting ready to launch in the West Midlands right now thanks to the Street Food Incubator Programme.

Backed by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker and delivered by Digbeth Dining Club (DDC) alongside NCASS, the initiative is supporting 34 food startups as they move towards trading for the first time (or levelling up what they’ve already started).

The programme is giving traders a proper grounding in the realities of running a street food business; from compliance and LPG gas safety through to branding, menu development, pricing, finance and customer experience. On top of that, they’re getting mentoring from established traders.

There was also a recent meetup at Herbert’s Yard in Birmingham, where some of the traders connected with the mayor and other businesses in the region. It gave people a chance to talk honestly about where they’re at, including the opportunities, the challenges, and what it actually takes to make this kind of business work. For a lot of the traders involved, the incubator is already starting to have a real impact.

Emrys Hancock from Raving Ices, for example, has taken a classic ice cream van setup and reworked it into a dessert truck and party bus concept. For him, the programme has been a key part of building something more structured and sustainable. He said:

“The incubator has really given me a sense of direction and purpose over the last 6 months, including a whole load of new skills, ideas and some brilliant contacts.

I have gained some great qualifications and built a solid framework using the tools at NCASS, and I believe this membership is invaluable. I’m still getting my head around the app but it is such a better alternative to the giant folder.

I cannot thank the team at Digbeth Dining enough, for all their help and support, knowledge, wisdom, encouragement and most importantly, time and opportunities. DDC got a request from the West Midlands Combined authority for sweet treats and hot drinks for the opening of a couple of train stations. I was asked if I could pitch for the job, which I did and was accepted.

With my new menu ready to launch and my enthusiasm at its highest, the next steps are to get out there and bring my delicious dessert creations to the streets, the events, the parties and the functions.”

The Programme is opening doors to many new and existing street food businesses, enabling them to pitch for real work and start building momentum. It’s also not just brand new businesses taking part; operators like Smoke & Ash are using the incubator to expand into events and street trading, showing that even established independents can benefit from a bit of structure and support when growing into new areas.

To find out more about the Street Food Incubator Programme, click here.