Unlock On-Site Business Opportunities
Discover how to start or host businesses like cafés, boat hire, and services on campsites and marinas.
The On-Site Business Opportunity
Not everyone wants to own a marina or campsite. But plenty of people want to run a business on one.
From waterside cafés to boat hire operations, from cleaning services to glamping management — there's a thriving ecosystem of small businesses that operate on someone else's land.
Key Takeaways
Low Entry Barrier
Entrepreneurs avoid land purchase costs.
Built-In Customers
Access to a ready-made audience of campers and boaters.
Mutual Benefits
Adds revenue for owners, amenities for guests.
Growth Potential
Flexible models allow for scaling and diversification.
For site owners, these partnerships can:
- Add revenue without adding workload
- Improve customer amenities
- Attract more bookings
- Build community
For entrepreneurs, they offer:
- Low startup costs (no land purchase)
- Built-in customer base
- Scenic working environments
- Flexible partnership models
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Customer
James Mitchell · Berth A1
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Common On-Site Businesses
Cafés & Food
| Business Type | Typical Setup |
|---|---|
| Coffee kiosk | Small cabin, basic equipment |
| Breakfast café | Kitchen, seating area |
| Evening bistro | Full kitchen, licensed |
| Mobile catering | Van or trailer |
Cafés benefit from captive audiences — boaters and campers who don't want to drive for their morning coffee.
Boat Hire
| Business Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Day boat hire | Fleet of small boats, moorings |
| Paddleboard/kayak | Storage, launch point |
| Electric hire boats | Charging infrastructure |
Boat hire works well on marinas with visitor traffic or scenic waterways.
Cleaning & Maintenance
| Service | Who Needs It |
|---|---|
| Glamping pod cleaning | Site owners with pods |
| Caravan valeting | Static caravan owners |
| Boat cleaning | Marina berth holders |
| Grounds maintenance | Busy site owners |
These services solve problems for site owners who don't have time to manage everything themselves.
Did You Know?
Many successful on-site businesses started by identifying an unfulfilled need on the premises. Listening to guest feedback can uncover lucrative opportunities!
Glamping Management
Some entrepreneurs take over entire glamping operations:
- Booking management
- Guest communication
- Cleaning and turnovers
- Breakfast provision
In exchange for a revenue share or management fee.
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Partnership Models
Rent-Based
The entrepreneur pays fixed rent for:
- A defined space (café building, moorings, storage)
- Access to site facilities
- Permission to operate
Pros: Predictable income for site owner
Cons: Entrepreneur bears all the risk
Revenue Share
The entrepreneur shares a percentage of revenue with the site owner.
Typical splits:
- 70/30 (entrepreneur/site) for high-investment businesses
- 60/40 for lower-investment operations
- 50/50 for fully managed services
Pros: Aligned incentives
Cons: Requires transparent reporting
Hybrid
A combination of:
- Base rent (covers the site owner's costs)
- Plus revenue share above a threshold
Pros: Security for site owner, upside for both
Cons: More complex to manage
Employment
The site owner employs the operator as staff.
Pros: Full control for site owner
Cons: HR responsibilities, less entrepreneurial energy
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See Yard Manager in Action
Discover how marinas and boatyards streamline operations with PayCamp's purpose-built tools.
Making It Work
For Site Owners
Choose carefully
Your partner reflects on your site
Define boundaries
What spaces, what hours, what customers?
Set clear terms
Written agreements, reviewed annually
Support success
Their success is your success
For Entrepreneurs
Know the site
Understand the customer base before committing
Start small
Prove the concept before expanding
Build relationships
With the owner, with customers, with staff
Document everything
Written agreements protect everyone
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Case Study: Lake View Café Partnership
At Lake View, a friend of the owners approached them about starting a boat hire business in 2024.
The initial deal:
- 6 commercial moorings at business rates
- A small cabin for an office
- Permission to operate hire boats
What happened next:
- The office became a café serving breakfast and coffee
- The café started serving site guests (not just boat hirers)
- The café team took over cleaning for new glamping pods
- A revenue share replaced the fixed rent
Result: The site owner gained:
- Café income (revenue share)
- Glamping management (no extra work)
- Improved amenities (guest satisfaction up)
The entrepreneur gained:
- Multiple income streams
- A growing business
- A fantastic working environment
Pro Tip for Site Owners!
Look for opportunities to cross-pollinate services. A boat hirer's café can serve all site guests, maximizing reach and revenue for everyone involved.
Read the full Lake View story →
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Getting Started
For Site Owners
If you're considering hosting on-site businesses:
- Identify gaps — What would improve your customer experience?
- Find partners — Local entrepreneurs, community connections
- Start with trials — Test the relationship before long-term commitments
- Use proper agreements — Legal contracts, clear terms
For Entrepreneurs
If you want to start a business on someone else's site:
- Research sites — Which have the customer base you need?
- Approach owners — With a clear proposal and business plan
- Start lean — Prove demand before investing heavily
- Be a good neighbour — Your success depends on the relationship
PayCamp handles commercial moorings, on-site services, and partnership invoicing — making it easy for site owners to manage multiple revenue streams.
Ready to Get Started?
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🚀
For Site Owners: Evaluate your needs and potential partners.
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For Entrepreneurs: Develop a robust business plan and approach suitable sites.
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Everyone: Ensure clear, written agreements protect all parties.
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See Yard Manager in Action
Discover how marinas and boatyards streamline operations with PayCamp's purpose-built tools.