license for street trading (news)

[Andrew-soy]

Hello everyone,

I've scoured the entire forum and usually, "Paphos Life" has been my go-to for all queries. Since registering, I haven't posted any post yet. Now, I need to reach out to the experts.

I have a vending machine at my warehouse where I store chocolates and water for the staff. As you might guess, I haven't licensed the machine or registered the business since it's not for commercial use.

I'm now considering placing a vending machine on the street in Paphos. I'm looking for advice and information – who knows anything about this?

I heard, that I need a license for street trading by the Municipal Council or the Community Council (source).

My idea is to create an autonomous vending machine that doesn't require a connection to the power grid, using solar panels and a battery for nighttime operation.

Has anyone dealt with this type of business before?

Thanks in advance!

[71 Trans Am]

I would have thought that you would need to have this conversation with the relevant Authorities before asking random questions on an open forum of people who are very unlikely to provide you with the answers that you need as it may be a non starter - There will be all kinds of health and safety criteria to look into - Let alone whether this would work anyway in the high temperature - It would take a massive battery to refrigerate 24 hours a day from solar power and how many panels would you need to keep the battery topped up and that's if it would work at all.

[Andrew-soy]

I have written several letters to local municipalities at the addresses I found. I highly doubt anyone will respond, especially considering that I wrote in English instead of Greek. Therefore, if anyone can recommend someone appropriate, please message me privately.

[71 Trans Am]

I think you have just made a massive mistake in your last statements - Unless you can back this up with any kind of proof you have left yourself wide open and you should not be making rash statements like that on an open forum - Going forward i think you have not just shot yourself in the foot but you have blown your legs off.

[Andrew-soy]

I have heard many stories about the role of corruption in Cyprus. I have never encountered it personally, so I said it seems that way. Statistics are relentless: for example, Transparency International published a relatively recent report, placing Cyprus among the 50 most corrupt countries, calling it the Corruption Perceptions Index. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023/index/cyp

I honestly didn't understand why you think I made a mistake...

If you are referring to the fact that I wrote the letter in English and doubt that I might not receive a response because of this, it is a reality of our lives. Cypriots are among the nationalities with the highest proficiency in foreign languages. My English might even be worse than theirs, but I can imagine how many requests they receive via email, and certainly, they prioritize their own (letters in Greek). Is there anything offensive in that?

[71 Trans Am]

Well i would not be comfortable writing down your " Bribes" narrative - And your "Do they respond to non-Cypriot citizens" sort of implies that Cypriots are racist, Smiley face or not it still reads the same - I have always found Cypriots to be lovely people, But you speak as you find

[Dominic]

If you want to do business with the Cypriots learn how to communicate in Greek, Even if it is by proxy.

Honestly, the arrogance of some people.

[Andrew-soy]

Thank you very much for your honesty. I had never thought of it that way.

I apologize to all the readers of this forum if my expressions offended you; I did not mean to hurt the feelings of Cypriots.

I am learning Greek, but I am not yet confident in writing in it.

Regarding business, if we do not take weather conditions into account for outdoor installations, do you think vending machines are a suitable type of street trade?

[WHL]

A vending machine selling chocolates in this heat , out on the streets of Cyprus, ever thought of taking your idea to Dragons Den?

[Andrew-soy]

@Dominic Did you edit the content of my messages? I apparently did not familiarize myself well with the forum rules. Could you tell me where to find them? I am interested in reading why I am being accused of racism while the context is being removed at the same time.

Forgive me. I honestly don’t understand how one message has led me to worry for three hours that I offended someone.

I hope this is not because you identified me as a Russian citizen.

I really believe that in situations involving municipal authorities, it is rational to give preference to the requests of the country’s citizens rather than to non-Cypriots. This is logical. I never thought that such a question could be seen as racist.

I have tried to comprehend the recommendation @71 Trans Am—“ conversation with the relevant Authorities before asking random questions on an open forum”—about ten times, but either I am losing the sense of the forum where people communicate and share opinions, or maybe I don’t understand the meaning of life in general.

I would appreciate any feedback from other forum participants. My question is still relevant, if anyone here can be open with conversation.

Ps
@WHL A vending machine can offer more than just chocolate. For example, it can be stocked with drinks, chips, or even eco-friendly products, especially if it has a refrigerator. In general, I don’t see vending machines in Paphos, so I wanted to find out why they are not there. What do you think? because of a lot of kiosks?

[Andrew-soy]

Dragons Den?

Sorry, what do you mean by this? Is it a well-known location? Honestly, I didn’t get it. Or is it just a slang joke?

[71 Trans Am]

Your starting to wear me out now - Nobody on here has accused YOU of being a racist READ THE POST CAREFULLY before you shout - I am also fairly certain that Dominic is not racist either he has to be neutral on a multi race forum and to my knowledge he treats everyone the same

[Dominic]

I deleted your post that mentioned bribery, for your own protection more than anything.

Links to rules etc are at the top of each forum.

There are vending machines in the Archaeological Park. I suggest you have a look there to see what they have to offer. As you say, they certainly offer drink, which is served in cold bottle or cans. They may well do chocolate bars too, though the machines themselves are not in direct sunlight.

Given that rentable bikes, trikes and scooters are popping up everywhere, and people seem able to cope with paying for them, the idea itself isn't bad.

If I was going to put one up I would be tempted to stick it on the Coast Path between St Nicholas Chapel and Pachyammos Beach. Bear in mind though, that if it is successful, you will soon find other machines appearing nearby.

Now, regarding language. If you are serious about this, hire a Greek-speaking Lawyer to do the bureaucracy for you. While a lot of Cypriots speak English, they don't all speak "business English". It is a myth that pretty much everybody is fluent. If you are buying stuff in shops, fine, no problem. Away from that, you will soon come across holes in language. Now, in conversation, there's nothing wrong with that. But if you are making costly business decisions, you need to know exactly what you are agreeing to, and the Government worker needs to know exactly what they are telling you. So they will be much more willing to communicate in Greek.

[WHL]

Good advice from above, joking apart if you are serious, go to the local council office and make an appointment to speak to someone there, they will tell you if your plans are feasible or a non starter, get it from the horses mouth, good luck.

[Andrew-soy]

Thank you all for the advices. The fact that I wrote a post was just an idea for which I wanted to get some feedback. Now I see that this is not a crazy idea. I will go check out the vending machines in Paphos and schedule a meeting with the municipality.

I will write as soon as I find out anything new about this.

[galexinda]

I have written several letters to local municipalities at the addresses I found. I highly doubt anyone will respond, especially considering that I wrote in English instead of Greek. Therefore, if anyone can recommend someone appropriate, please message me privately.

The only way to get any information about your proposed venture is by actually visiting the offices of the various Municipalities.
It would certainly help if you took someone with you who is fluent in Greek in order for a proper discussion to take place.

[kansas]

Good luck with your venture, Andrew-soy

[josef k]

You obviously believe you have identified a gap in the market. However, currently this perceived gap is filled by kiosks. They sell all the suggested items you have listed at a reasonable price, often over a 24 hour period.
I strongly suggest you work out the costings, assuming you haven't already, before you go forward. Ones that come to mind are:
The vending unit
Photovoltaic panel(s) and battery
Maintenance of unit and repairs
Cost of stock and mark up
Cost and time spent on stocking and cash collection
Insurance of unit and stock, public liability etc.
VAT and tax

If the figures work for what you are trying to do, then I wish you all the best.

[Chaddy]

Go for it Andrew ( legally of course ) if thats your dream..All the best

[cyprusmax47]

Thank you all for the advices. The fact that I wrote a post was just an idea for which I wanted to get some feedback. Now I see that this is not a crazy idea.

It is not a crazy idea as you said Andrew, however you have first made your mind up where about you want to place such vending units and what items you will offer to the public and have a proper business strategy BEFORE you contact any Authorities.

It has to be away from kiosks or other shops selling the same items. So it needs a good research from you first.
I could see a good place would be along the new coast path between castle and Lighthouse beach (2 km) and further where a lot of people go for jogging etc. and need a drink as there is not much shade.

Concerning the cooling unit in the vending machine: it would need too much electricity to work properly day and night, when you want to run it with photo-voltaic modules and battery bank in that heat while the modules need full sunshine to produce enough to charge fridge and battery for the night.
If there is any shade forget it. You would need at least 1200 Wp modules (3x400 Wp) and battery with 3 kW/h capacity. (costs ca 2500 Euro)
This would produce in the summer month 6-7 kW/h/day from May to September. Batteries have to be in a separate compartment max. 45C.

Perhaps it is OK if cold drinks are not ice cold but 18C for example which is still cold enough when outside temperature is 35C+, needs testing!!
(so not a Coke but other fruit juices or still and sparkling water, any chocolate or snack bars.)

Max