Barrel reconditioning workshop

Breweries, distilleries, wineries and cideries, plus some retailers and event businesses that buy barrels for display or furniture.

You sell reconditioned and new barrels at a higher price than the raw used stock, and charge for repair, refurbishment and collection of customers' own barrels.

• Practical woodworking or coopering skills
• Quality control and attention to detail
• Selling to trade customers
• Safe workshop and lifting practice

• Check with your council about planning use class, business rates and any local rules for the unit
• Check with HMRC whether excise or duty rules apply to casks that held alcohol
• Fire risk from wood dust, shavings and any toasting, so get advice from your insurer and fire safety guidance
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you take on staff
• Machinery and manual handling risks, so check safe working requirements
• Check food-contact and hygiene expectations from your customers for barrels used to hold drinks

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, equipment and how much new and reconditioned stock you buy in. Treat this as an estimate and price your own unit, tools and stock before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on how many barrels you sell and the mix of new and reconditioned casks. That is an estimate of turnover, not profit, so work out your rent and stock costs too.

Check with your council about planning use class, business rates and local rules for the unit. Check with HMRC whether excise or duty rules apply to casks that held alcohol, and get fire risk advice from your insurer.