Small high street beauty salon

Local residents and workers who book regular appointments or pop in, plus gift voucher buyers.

Fixed prices for each treatment, retail sales of products, gift vouchers and, as you grow, rent from self-employed therapists or income from staff you employ.

• Recognised treatment qualifications
• Running a small business and managing costs
• Customer service and local marketing
• Managing staff or freelancers if you grow

• Lease terms, deposits, business rates and fit-out costs, get advice before signing
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Council registration or licensing for some treatments, and premises checks, check with your local council
• Fire safety, hygiene, waste disposal and rules on hazardous products such as nail chemicals
• Music played in the salon may need a licence, check what applies
• Quiet periods can leave rent unpaid, keep a cash buffer

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, equipment and products. Check lease terms, deposits, business rates and fit-out costs, and get advice before signing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your treatments, prices and how busy the diary is. Quiet periods can leave rent unpaid, so keep a cash buffer. The estimates assume around 30 hours a week or more.

Check with your local council whether registration or licensing applies for some treatments, plus premises checks. Also check fire safety, hygiene, waste disposal, rules on hazardous products such as nail chemicals, insurance, and whether music in the salon needs a licence.