Moved from Location, Location, Location. to Askaboutbusiness. Please familiarise yourself with the posting guidelines and post in the correct sub forum.
The solid fuel market has been in steady decline now since the late 1980's. Door to Door coal merchants (Bellmen) once a common sight in our towns and cities have now largely gone the way of the breadman or the milkman.
Most people even in the large local authority housing estates have moved to convenience switch fuels like oil and gas. Even those who are still using solid fuel may decide to buy their fuel from the local garage/shop. Some will go directly to their local wholesaler or dairy coop and bulk buy their fuel and take delivery themselves.
Bell men must understand consumer protection leglislation which includes weights marked on bags and comply with environmental legislation such as smokeless regs. They must also comply with the various road traffic leglislation in terms of tax, insurance, road worthyness and overloading etc.
Coal delivery is a hard physical work also involves very carefull cash management. Many customers will pay a weekly amount which means that it might take several months and weekly visits before you make all money. Any one starting in the business would expect to pay "cash on colletion", progress to "load on load" credit and finally after many years operation would be allowed "30 days" credit. (relaxed in the summer months and tightened in the winter months).
The coal delivery business is also highly seasonal ie very busy around December/January and no business at all in the Summer.
You will need a flat back truck, secure overnight storage (at the least) and a reliable helper (employee).
Well established Bellmen operate the best areas and do not take very lightly to newcomers coming in on what they see as their area.
Having said all that, coal delivery was a very lucrative business back in the eighties and what with rising oil prices who knows it might revert to that again!