What New Business?

[Lsab]

Several of our members intend to up sticks and start a new life in Hurghada, Sharm, El Gouna etc. Some of you are hoping to find work, others amongst you are starting your own business. It would be great to hear from you -what are you planning to set up and where, when will you make the move?

Along the same lines, if any of you could start up on your own and funding wasn't a problem, what would be your dream business? A gym, spa, sports academy, restaurant, cleaning company?? Where would you site it? It would be of paticular interest to hear why you think yours would be better or different from anything already on offer.

I'm not asking anyone to give away their secrets but maybe we'll come up with some original and creative ideas between us. What do you all think?


( PLEASE BE AWARE OF FORUM RULES - NO ADVERTISING!!! NO LINKS TO YOUR BUSINESS WEBSITE - NO PHONE NUMBERS ETC. )

 

[propertastic]

If anyone is looking for some business ideas, here are some things that we would like to see in Hurghada.

1. A little cinema showing English language movies. I know that there are some plans for one in some developments, but we can't wait that long. We want one right now!

2. An English language free newspaper. The Russians already have one - Komsomolovskaya Pravda - which is a fortnightly 32-pager and seems to be doing very well from the amount of advertising in each issue.

3. The girlfriend needs some decent clothes/shoe shops. There aren't really many mid-market shops in this area - just the trashy stuff with fake D&G, Prada, Armani, etc.

4. Some place for the high-rollers to go. I don't know why there aren't more casinos here when there are loads in Sharm. The fanciest place around at the moment seems to be Little Buddha, but it just seems to be an over-priced Chinese restaurant crossed with a provincial disco to me.

5. There still seems to be the opportunity for a decent English/Irish pub. The best that Hurghada has to offer in this respect - Papa's, PJ's and the Winking Frog all leave a lot to be desired still.

 

[propertastic]

6. Oh, and I'd like a book shop with plenty of books in English as well, please.

7. And a good DVD rental store as well.

In terms of location, the back part of El Kawser (aka Little Britain) would be perfect for this as it is in easy walking distance of Regency Towers, British Resort, the Pearls, etc., has good parking as it's so quiet and rents should be low as there isn't much passing traffic at the moment.

 

[queenie40something]

Hi there are lots of opportunities out there. I think the best is to have a look around and see what you miss. I think you cant go wrong in entertainment. In Sharm they have recently opened an Aironex see YouTube - Aironex Full Throttle - this is not the one in Sharm though. I personally think this will do well as there is nothing else like it in Sharm and they probably charge at least £20 a go. Any hairdressers out there?? Sharm is crying out for a good English mobile hairdresser. I would love to see a deli serving hams, salamis, olives, decent cheeses and wines etc with maybe a fresh coffee shop inside serving cream teas?? As Nick says a good bar - we have Camel Bar in Sharm which isnt too bad and Papas which is naff. There are 2 more in the process of opening. There are enought watersports, waterparks and trips in Sharm. Shops are better than Hurghada as Nabq and Il Mercato are trying to attract International brands and we have shops such as Guess, Lotto, Puma, Harley Davidson, Morgan, Clares, Bodyshop, Virgin to name a few. What about a pork butchers in Hurghada - we have one in Sharm that does very well as it is the only place to get pork.

 

[propertastic]

I agree that Hurghada has a lot of catching up to do compared to Sharm when it comes to shops.

The shopping area in Nabq Bay was wonderful there - shame that it was completely dead when we went there.

I understand that there is a pork butcher in El Gouna that delivers to Hurghada. I heard them advertising on El Gouna radio.

Is there an English language radio station in Sharm? There's a need for a better one in Hurghada that does more than play muzak all day.

 

[queenie40something]

Hi Nick - I think there is just a news station in Sharm. I believe that there are only about 10 stations in the whole of Egypt. Nile FM is English 104.2 MHz and 95.4 MHz is European Programme, 100.0 MHz El Gouna Radio (Italian and English). Dont know what they are like as normally we put the music channel on the TV or listen to our MP3 players.

 

[Lsab]

Can't help with local Radio but if you get Orbit satellite TV they have loads of Radio stations including Virgin, plus of course there's always radio through the net!

 

[Lsab]

I saw this once on some TV programme then came across it on the net today. Anyone thinking of starting a business but wanting ideas, here's a possible one for you: thomas green - overseas grocery franchise - start business abroad british food in spain, holland, france

Bet something like this would do a roaring trade, especially if it sold newspapers tool! Add in Alisons deli and I quite fancy the idea myself

 

[MrSkipsey]

Id like to see a traditional pie mash and jellied eel shop.
But then Id like to see one of them everywhere I went!

What about a Subway or a Starbucks franchise?

Maybe even a 'real' ice cream van going around!?!?

STOP ME AND BUY ONE!

 

[Lsab]

Wonder how long it'll take before there's a Starbucks there - like the UK, they're everywhere in the Middle East Think they'd be an expensive franchise though. Like the ice cream van idea!

 

[MrSkipsey]

Like the ice cream van idea!

Lemon ice popeye / witches hat with all the trimmings.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

 

[queenie40something]

Hi Starbucks is already in Egypt - think there is one by Hardrock in Hurghada. Love the stop me and buy one idea - could also sell cold drinks and slush puppies.

 

[vix]

Wonder how long it'll take before there's a Starbucks there - like the UK, they're everywhere in the Middle East Think they'd be an expensive franchise though. Like the ice cream van idea!

Love the ice-cream van idea. Theres over 20 Starbucks in downtown Dubai alone, so it has to happy pretty soon in Hurhghada. Any body interested in Manual Handling ???????????

 

[Timecatcher]

I wonder if a property cleansing/management type company would fit in anywhere, offering a complete on-site service from start to finish and more. Internet based with customer account and user login providing a daily video link from all developments, would suit those wanting regular updates of their new build to include internal and external video footage, provide detailed streaming video of your apartment during build to assist with accurate progress then snagging (If you have trouble getting out there). I only say this because there was a similar business I saw in Morocco where a Spanish/Arabic/English speaking girl carried out loads of snagging for Brits and charged a small fee for static pictures.

After completion service could provide regular internal video updates in cases of damage from a rental etc, then perhaps offer ongoing services like getting electric/water connected, key change, linen change, handover, cleaning all backed up with either video or pictures to show the work has been done.

I know there are websites which provide static pictures of properties abroad for rental, book on-line etc, but how many actually offer video of the apartments and the local surrounding? Storage of video on websites and Internet speed is probably the best it's been for years and most of us have Internet access?

 

[not_terry]

Hi
I am arriving on 22 May to live in Sharm, don't have a property yet or job or anything but I am going to spend 3 months getting my PADI diving instructor certificate, I was also a photographer at one stage and have a nice digital, film, and underwater camera. i hope to combine these with possibly my IT/Web design skills and begin working as an instructor, possibly specialising in underwater photography courses, maybe set up my own site and sell clients photo packages as well.

Who knows, lets see where it leads.....

 

[queenie40something]

Hi Timecatcher - good idea - when are you starting up!!

Hi Kerry - Im sure there are endless possibilities for you. May need to meet up with you so you can give me an idiots lesson on how to use my new camera LOL. Photography is an area that Amy is considering and we are currently looking for someone to take her on on her work experiance in October.

 

[not_terry]

If I can help in any way I would me most happy to

 

[not_terry]

Looking at timecatchers idea - something occurs to me! If Im going to be out in Sharm full time maybe I could act as the purchasers agent. Chase developers, lawyers etc, get progress reports, provide photos, get copies of contracts etc, arrange accomodation, get furniture quotes and be the purchasers 'legs and eyes' in Sharm.
Does anybody think they could use or more to the point would pay a reasonable fee for such a service?

 

[queenie40something]

Hi Kerry - that is needed in Sharm . To my knowledge there is no one doing this at the moment.

 

[not_terry]

Well pass the word around!!

How would I best offer this service through the forum without offending anybody