Rent a dark kitchen
in Manchester

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.

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 set the monthly licence fee cost on the listing. You can include a deposit amount if required too. 

For a leasehold property, you can set the annual rent amount plus a deposit and premium, all of which can be set during the listing upload process.

It is free to create an account and list a property. We only charge once you find the right brand for your space!

You can find information on our rental fees here

You can find information on our lease fees here