Meet the Oya team

Oya is an industry-focused alternative to platforms like Gumtree or Facebook for brands looking for food space. With 3,000+ vendors searching our marketplace you’ll join a network built for your needs. We are able help with contracts, deposits, licensing, and insurance—so you can focus on growing your business, not the paperwork. A dedicated account manager supports you from start to finish. With short-term rentals and long term leases, as well as flexible pricing options, free and fast onboarding, Oya makes finding the right space simple and affordable.

A Licence to Occupy is a legal agreement where the owner of a space (called the Licensor or Host) gives permission to someone else (called the Licensee, such as a Food Vendor) to use that space for business purposes—like selling food. It is typically short-term, usually lasting 12 months or less, and does not give the Licensee full control or ownership of the space. Unlike a lease, it doesn’t grant the same legal rights, and the owner can still access the space or ask the Licensee to leave if the agreement has been breached. It’s essentially a flexible way for someone to operate temporarily, without the lengthy commitment of a formal tenancy.

A commercial lease is a legal agreement where a landlord (Host) rents out property to a business (Food Vendor) for a specified period, typically several years. This lease grants the business exclusive use of the space, meaning they have full control over it during the lease term. In return, the business pays rent and often takes on responsibilities like maintenance and insurance.

Sometimes, the Food Vendor may also pay a premium, which is an upfront payment made to secure the lease or gain certain advantages. Unlike short-term or flexible arrangements (Licence to Occupy), a commercial lease offers long-term stability but comes with more obligations for the Food Vendor.

Oya managed and Self managed are our two pricing models and the Host will be asked to select the most suitable option for their listing. 

Self managed is the most basic pricing where you’ll pay a one off upfront fee at the start of your booking. Once the contracts are signed, the Host and Vendor will deal directly with each other for the duration of the licence or lease period. 

Oya managed fees are paid monthly for the duration of your booking and come with a range of extra benefits. We’ll assist with the property handover, take care of deposit payments and be on hand to support along the way. 

Oya doesn’t own or run any of the kitchens on the marketplace, we leave that down to you! 

For more information on our rental pricing - Click here.

Our Hosts have specific requirements for Food Vendors operating within their properties. Food Vendors should have an established business, registered as a company, with a proven menu and a trading history for most locations. After securing a space and signing a contract, a vendor will need to provide employer’s liability insurance, public and product liability insurance, and food safety certificates for their chefs.

Creating a listing is easy! To get started, you’ll need clear photos of the space, and a floor plan can be helpful to give Food Vendors a better idea of the layout. Be sure to include a list of any equipment available and a short description of the space. If you’re unsure about pricing, don’t worry - the Oya team is always here to help you set the right rate.

For Licence to Occupy agreements, utilities usage of Gas, Electricity, Water, WIFI, Waste Removal and Pest control is set by the Host. The Host can choose to cover the cost themselves, share the costs with the Food Vendor or charge them separately. 

For Leasehold agreements, it is expected that the Food Vendor is responsible for all utilities. 

This information can be found on each listing.

For a property under a Licence to occupy agreement, you can find the monthly licence fee cost on the listing. There may be a deposit amount required too. 

For a leasehold property, there will be an annual rent amount plus a deposit and premium, all of which can be found on the listing.