Barbecue and outdoor cooking shop

Open a small shop with barbecues on display, plus fuel, tools and expert advice for local customers.

Shelves of barbecues and grills displayed in a retail shop.
Startup cost£8k to £40k
Monthly revenue£3k to £15k
Time needed35+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • £8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

What it is

A small shop or unit where customers can see and compare barbecues, grills and accessories, and get advice. Many such shops add fuel, spices, rubs and outdoor cooking gear, and may offer assembly or local delivery.

Your first three steps

  1. Research local competition and garden centres, then price up a starter range from UK suppliers
  2. Look at short or flexible leases, such as a unit with parking or a pop-up in a busy spot
  3. Build a simple website and local social media page to bring people in before you open
Who pays

Local households, garden owners, keen cooks, and people buying gifts or upgrading their set-up in the warmer months.

How it makes money

Mark-up on barbecues and accessories, repeat sales of charcoal, briquettes and other consumables, and paid extras such as assembly and delivery.

Skills that help
  • Product knowledge and friendly advice
  • Stock buying and control
  • Retail and till work
  • Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
  • Business rates, rent and lease terms, so check what applies to your premises with the local council
  • Planning use class for the premises, so check with your council
  • Storing gas cylinders and charcoal safely, with fire safety and insurance to check
  • Public liability and stock insurance
  • Very seasonal sales, so make sure you can cover costs through winter
  • If you display lit barbecues, check the risk assessment and insurance first

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: barbecue and outdoor cooking shop

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a barbecue shop?

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your premises, the amount of stock and display barbecues you buy, and fit-out. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own area first.

How much can a barbecue shop make?

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your location, range and the time of year. Expect to work at least about 35 hours a week, and plan for quieter winter months.

What should I check before opening a barbecue shop?

Check business rates, rent and lease terms, and the planning use class for your premises, with your council. Also check safe storage of gas cylinders and charcoal, fire safety, insurance, and the risk assessment if you display lit barbecues.

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