How do you buy a quarry?

[Luke_T]

Just a random thought, but how the heck do you buy a quarry... the likes of stoney etc. Let's say there was a quarry in the North East of England that was abandoned how would oyu go about buying it and making it a suitable diving site?

[GaryC]

Originally Posted by Luke_T

Just a random thought, but how the heck do you buy a quarry... the likes of stoney etc. Let's say there was a quarry in the North East of England that was abandoned how would oyu go about buying it and making it a suitable diving site?

Go on, give us a clue where?

[mala]

get your solicitor to search the land registry for the owner and make them an offer they can,t refuse.
then speak to the local council about your plans.
check where the water comes from and if its still there in the summer.
if it's shallow ,silty ,cold, and you have a helicopter to put in it you should be fine.

2p

[trakrat]

Originally Posted by Luke_T

Just a random thought, but how the heck do you buy a quarry... the likes of stoney etc. Let's say there was a quarry in the North East of England that was abandoned how would oyu go about buying it and making it a suitable diving site?

try the land regestry at the local libary find out who owns it and make them an offer
has it already got water in?
is there good road access?

[milldog]

Enquire at the planning office and ask what would be the chances of changing this quarry to a dive site, also is good form to ask the planners what they would like to see done as it will get the planning through quicker.

Quarry's are owned by the company's that mined them and will properly lease it to you rather than sell it as they may at a later date want to reopen the mine

look at the land register and talk to the owners you can get a 25 lease for as little as £500 but then you have to fund the upkeep and safety out of your own pocket,

Graham

[wilbo]

Check that it is suitable for change of purpose (which will cost you virtually nothing in comparison) before shelling out money on it. If the local council wouldn't let you make it into a dive site - then you've saved a wad of cash and time.

[Luke_T]

Interesting, I'm not personally considering it as I'm sure it would cost a small fortune to bank roll, but I've always wondered why there are so few diving quarries... maybe they're not as profitable as I thought they might be.

Imagine you had the quarry though and you needed to put stuff in it... what would you choose to sink?

[Ian@1904]

Seek out who owns the land
Check with local council that you can use the land for the intended purpose-diving
Put together a business model showing how much money you need to invest in the facilities-road, toilets, changing rooms, compressor, property lease, council taxes, web site and similar marketing activity. Then triple the figure-most businesses fail through lack of capital investment planning.
Work out how you will earn money from the site-entrance fees, gas fills, dive courses, establish your staff number requirements and costs (these people expect holidays). Then halve your income estimate, as you will have forgotten midweek diving, seasonal fluctuations etc
Ask HSE for advice on risk assessments-first aid facilities, air ambulance
Banks will fund valid business cases, but they are risk averse. So what is your personal track record on delivering successful businesses, how much money will you personally invest as cash. Business Angels are good for innovative businesses, but want a substantial share of the profits, with an increasing share if you do not personally deliver on the results

You should easily create a small fortune by starting with a large fortune

[witchieblackcat]

You could try having a chat with Carol Hack at Capernwray. She's pretty approachable and may give you a few tips as long as you're not looking at something too close to her.

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by trakrat

is there good road access?

Friend of mine was going to buy one. Local planner was well up for it. He said there would be no problem him putting in a car park for 30 cars.

Plan was for 4 times that.

Planner said the road wouldn't take it and he would be liable for upgrading the road, which would have meant total reconstruction, then bringing it up to todays standrads regarding signs, lining, lighting etc.

Kind of pissed on his chips, so he (fairly obviously) didn't bother