Book stall and pop-up bookshop for markets and fairs

Market shoppers, families, gift buyers, and schools or groups who book you for events.

Direct sales at your stall, with higher-margin secondhand stock and gifts. School book fairs and event bookings can add steadier income.

• Choosing stock that sells
• Friendly chat with customers
• Setting up and packing down efficiently

• Street trading licences or market pitch permissions can vary by council, so check locally
• Public liability insurance, which many markets ask to see
• Weather, lifting and van or car loading, so plan for the physical side
• Selling new books may need accounts with wholesalers, which can have minimum orders

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your opening stock, stall and display equipment, insurance and pitch fees. Selling new books may also need wholesaler accounts with minimum orders.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000 in our estimates, depending on how many markets and events you attend, your stock and the weather. Around eight hours a week is a possible starting point.

Check whether street trading licences or market pitch permissions apply with your council, arrange public liability insurance, which many markets ask to see, and plan for the physical side, including weather, lifting and loading.