Small cat cafe with rescue cats

Cat lovers, couples, friends and families, students, tourists, and people who can't have a pet at home.

A booking or entry fee per visit, plus drinks, cakes and snacks. Some also sell cat-themed gifts, hold private bookings and charge for rescue adoption fees on the rescue's behalf, if agreed.

• Welcoming, calm customer service
• Basic cafe and food hygiene knowledge
• Understanding of cat behaviour and welfare
• Managing a small budget and rota

• Food businesses need to register with the local council, usually well before opening, so check timings with environmental health
• Check whether your set-up needs an animal activities licence from your council, as rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Check whether the premises needs planning permission or change of use, and read the lease carefully
• Keep cats and food areas properly separated and follow hygiene advice from your council
• Cat welfare comes first: plan quiet cat-only spaces, vet costs, rest time and what happens if a cat is unhappy
• Allergen information for food, and warnings for visitors with cat allergies
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £25,000 to £80,000, depending on your premises, fit-out, cat area, equipment and vet and welfare planning. Read any lease carefully before you commit.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on your location, opening hours, booking slots and food and drink sales. About 40 hours a week is the estimated minimum.

Check food business registration with your council well before opening, and whether you need an animal activities licence, as rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also check planning or change of use, allergen information and insurance.