If you’ve been hunting for small cheap food trailers for sale in the UK, you’re not alone.
Since 2023, Britain has seen a wave of new food entrepreneurs—people keen to leave the 9–5, chase a dream, or simply earn extra income at markets and events.
And honestly?
There’s something very British about serving up warm chips, bacon rolls, crepes, burgers, or a proper cuppa at a rainy Saturday car boot sale.
But if you’re just getting started, you might feel like every food trailer in the UK is either:
too expensive,
too big for your driveway,
too old and rusty, or
sold already before you even message the seller.
So today, let’s take a different approach.
This is not a boring “industry report.”
It’s a story, a guide, and a friendly chat about how you can realistically start a mobile food business in Britain—without spending a fortune.
And yes, we’re going to talk about ZZKNOWN, a popular global manufacturer supplying brand-new budget food trailers to the UK at prices you don’t usually see on Gumtree or eBay.
Meet Hannah.
She worked in a small stationery shop in East London. Nice place, decent customers, terrible pay.
But outside the shop?
There was always a queue—not for notebooks, but for a tiny coffee trailer selling flat whites and brownies.
One day, during her lunch break, she asked the owner how business was.
He smiled, leaned across the counter, and said:
“Love, I make more in a Saturday market than I did in a whole week at my old office job.”
That sentence stayed with her.
Within a month she began searching for:
“small cheap food trailers for sale”
“used catering trailers UK”
“budget street food trailer”
And what did she find?
Rusty trailers from 1997
Prices that made her say “You’re having a laugh”
Models that looked like they’d blow away in a mild breeze
Sellers that didn’t reply
Trailers that wouldn’t pass a hygiene inspection in a thousand years
She nearly gave up.
Then she discovered ZZKNOWN, a manufacturer based in China that exports CE-certified, custom-built food trailers to the UK—small, affordable, fully stainless steel inside, brand new, and priced far below most used UK units.
She sent an inquiry.
Three months later, a spotless 2m mini coffee-and-snack trailer rolled into her driveway in Hackney.
By spring, she was at Brick Lane Market selling iced lattes and cinnamon buns.
Within her first summer, she made more than her previous year’s salary.
Street food isn’t new to Britain—but the business model is changing fast. Here’s why so many people are searching for small cheap food trailers for sale:
Traditional UK catering trailers often cost:
£10,000–£25,000 used
£20,000–£50,000+ new
But small imported trailers from brands like ZZKNOWN can be:
£3,000–£8,000, brand new
CE-certified
Delivered ready for equipment installation
For many first-time entrepreneurs, this is the difference between starting now… or never starting at all.
In 2025, the UK food trailer scene is thriving at:
Winter markets
Beach promenades
Car boot sales
University campuses
Weekend food festivals
Industrial estates (lunchtime rush is huge)
Summer campsites
Christmas fairs
Music festivals
Farm shops
Garden centres
The variety is massive.
These are one-person food operations like:
Coffee trailers
Doughnut carts
Chips & sausage stands
Crepe trailers
Ice cream units
Burger mini-trailers
Small trailer = small risk + small space + small storage required.
It sounds odd, but hear me out:
Small food trailers thrive because:
They heat up quickly
They’re cheap to winterize
They can be sheltered easily
They don’t need huge ventilation systems
In cold British weather, a small warm unit is practical.
A food truck comes with:
MOT
Tax
Mechanical breakdown costs
A small food trailer?
A tow bar
Lights
Tyres
Basic annual maintenance
Much cheaper, much simpler.
The UK’s obsession with coffee isn’t slowing down.
These mini trailers usually include:
Sink system
Small prep counter
Space for espresso machine
Under-counter fridge
Service window
Lighting + electrics
Perfect for solo operators.
Popular in tourist and seaside areas (Brighton, Blackpool, Bournemouth).
Very high profit margins.
Traditional British street food.
Simple equipment.
Reliable year-round demand.
Especially strong in summer towns in Devon, Cornwall, and Wales.
For selling:
Kebabs
Tacos
Wraps
Breakfast baps
Milkshakes
Bubble tea
Hot dogs
These provide flexibility when trends change.
A fair breakdown of the most reliable UK + international suppliers.
Best For: Small cheap food trailers, custom designs, budget startups
ZZKNOWN has become a favourite for UK buyers because:
Prices are significantly lower than UK-built trailers
Everything is brand new
CE-certified electrics
Stainless steel interiors
CAD 2D/3D layout drawings included
UK sockets & wiring available
Trailers arrive ready for inspection
They specialise in 2m–3.5m small trailers, perfect for low-cost UK startups.
Popular UK orders include:
Great for bargains, but hit-or-miss.
Expect hidden issues:
Rust under chassis
Poor wiring
Outdated gas systems
Leaking roofs
Failing hygiene checks
If you buy used, ALWAYS bring a qualified gas & electric engineer with you.
Reliable but expensive.
Most charge:
£12,000–£25,000 for small trailers
£25,000–£45,000 for medium builds
Ideal if you need something urgent.
They rebuild old trailers to look new.
Prices vary but usually £8,000–£20,000.
Here’s the honest price bracket:
£3,000–£8,000
(depends on size + upgrades)
£12,000–£25,000
£2,000–£10,000
(but risk = high)
£8,000–£20,000
So if you’re searching specifically for small cheap food trailers for sale, imported units offer the best value.
Here’s what UK customers typically highlight:
Most UK buyers save 40–60% versus domestic manufacturers.
Colours, kitchen layout, window position, branding, interior materials—everything tailor-made.
13A sockets, breakers, UK plugs, 220–240V wiring.
Meets UK Environmental Health Officer (EHO) expectations.
Required for UK use after Brexit.
2D + 3D drawings help during planning permission and EHO approval.
Delivered to UK ports like:
Felixstowe
Southampton
London Gateway
This section helps you avoid the biggest rookie mistakes.
England, Scotland, Wales, NI all require proper certification.
Your trailer must pass:
Surfaces: food-safe
Layout: cleanable
Hot/cold water
Handwashing sink
Proper lighting
Pest prevention
ZZKNOWN builds all of these as standard.
Small trailers are perfect because:
Most weigh under 750kg–1100kg
Can be towed by normal cars
No special licence needed for most setups
Low cost—about £250–£600 a year.
Coffee? Crepes? Loaded fries? Smash burgers? Doughnuts?
Small = easier & cheaper.
Common UK sizes: 2m, 2.5m, 3m, 3.5m
You’ll need drawings to show EHO.
Register with your council 28 days before trading.
Markets, festivals, car boot sales, industrial estates.
Coffee machine, fryer, fridge, griddle, extractor.
Public liability + equipment.
First-time entrepreneurs
Side-hustlers
Students
Retirees
Stay-at-home parents
Coffee lovers
Bakers
Chefs wanting independence
Anyone tired of the corporate grind
As the cost of living rises, more Brits are looking for ways to build extra income or become their own boss.
A small cheap food trailer for sale is one of the most realistic entry points.
The investment is low.
The demand is high.
The risk is manageable.
And the lifestyle?
Surprisingly fulfilling.
If you want a:
small,
affordable,
fully equipped,
EHO-friendly,
then ZZKNOWN is one of the safest and most budget-friendly suppliers for UK buyers in 2025.
Whenever you’re ready, I can help you write a short product description, build a UK-focused landing page, or generate social posts to attract more British buyers.
Just let me know!
