Start a monthly community night market

Stallholders pay you a site fee to trade. Local shoppers and families come along, and some events also earn from sponsors or a gold coin entry.

Stall fees from each trader, minus site hire, insurance, power and marketing. Extra income can come from food truck fees, sponsors or a small entry charge.

• Organising and planning
• Dealing with traders and councils
• Social media promotion
• Staying calm on the night

• Public liability insurance for the event, and many sites or councils ask traders to hold their own too
• Council event or market permits, which differ by council, so check with your local council early
• Food stalls usually need council registration and may need temporary food premises notices, check local rules
• Evening noise, lighting, traffic, toilets and first aid requirements
• Weather risk and a quiet first few nights, so keep your costs low until it is established

As an estimate, startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the site, insurance, marketing and equipment. Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on stall numbers and fees. Keep costs low until the market is established.

Check public liability insurance for the event, since many sites or councils ask traders to hold their own too. Also check council event or market permits, food stall registration, temporary food premises notices, and noise, lighting, traffic, toilet and first aid requirements.

Estimates suggest at least around 10 hours a week, depending on how many traders you manage and how much promotion you do. Useful skills include organising, dealing with traders and councils, social media promotion and staying calm on the night.