Camera repair and servicing shop

Open a small high street or unit workshop where photographers drop off cameras and lenses for repair.

Technician repairing a camera lens with small tools on a workbench.

Startup cost£5k to £25k

Monthly revenue£2k to £8k

Time needed30+ h/week

First incomeMonths

£5k-25k
Full-time
Own premises

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

Official data

1,549 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 95210 “Repair of consumer electronics”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

A small shop or workshop unit with a counter for walk-in customers and a bench behind. You repair, service and clean cameras and lenses, and can add related income such as selling refurbished kit, batteries and accessories.

Your first three steps

Check local demand by visiting camera clubs, studios and second-hand sellers, and look at what nearby repairers charge
Find a low-cost unit or small shop and price the rent, business rates and fit-out before committing
Arrange spare parts suppliers and a booking and job-tracking system, then start by taking in work from local photographers and sellers

Who pays

Local photographers, camera clubs, students, collectors, small studios and members of the public with a broken camera.

How it makes money

Quoted prices per repair plus parts, with extra income from servicing, selling refurbished second-hand equipment and accessories.

Skills that help

Precision repair of cameras and optics
Diagnosing faults and quoting accurately
Customer service at the counter
Basic bookkeeping and stock handling

Watch out for

Public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' equipment and your stock, and employer's liability if you take on staff
Lease terms, rent, and business rates, so check what you would have to pay before signing
Check whether the premises have the right planning use for a shop or workshop with your council
Parts for older models can be hard to source, so be clear with customers about what you can repair
If you sell second-hand goods, check your obligations under consumer law

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: camera repair and servicing 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 start a camera repair shop?

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on the premises, the rent and deposit, and the tools, parts and stock you need. Check the lease terms, rent and business rates before you sign anything.

How much can a camera repair shop earn?

As an estimate, monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on location, the repairs you can take on and any extra income from refurbished kit or accessories. Parts for older models can be hard to source.

What should I check before opening a camera repair shop?

Check that the premises have the right planning use for a shop or workshop with your council. Arrange public liability insurance, plus cover for customers' equipment and your stock, and check your obligations under consumer law if you sell second-hand goods.