Start a seasonal pop-up beer garden

Locals, friends and families, after-work crowds and weekend visitors looking for somewhere relaxed to sit outside.

Selling drinks and food at a markup. You can add extra income from private bookings, quiz or music nights, and pitch fees from food traders.

• Customer service and bar work
• Organising stock, rotas and set-up
• Local marketing and social media
• Cash and cost control

• Alcohol licensing: check what premises licence, designated premises supervisor and personal licence you need (rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland)
• Temporary Event Notices may cover a short run, but check the limits that apply to you and your site
• Planning permission or change-of-use rules for temporary use of land, check with your council
• Food business registration with the council, and food hygiene if you serve food yourself
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Fire safety, toilets, noise and neighbours' complaints
• Weather risk: a wet summer can hit takings, so keep fixed costs low

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the site, seating, bar equipment and licensing. Treat these as estimates. Keeping fixed costs low helps, as a wet summer can hit takings.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your site, opening days, weather and how much food you offer. These are estimates, and revenue is not profit.

Check what premises licence, designated premises supervisor and personal licence you need, as rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Also check whether Temporary Event Notices cover your run, planning rules for temporary land use, and food registration.