Children's cafe with a play area: start in the UK

Parents, grandparents and carers with babies, toddlers and primary-age children, plus families booking party slots.

Food and drink sales, entry or play fees if you charge them, party bookings, and paid weekday classes or sessions.

• Running a busy kitchen or counter
• Friendly with families
• Cash flow and stock control
• Safety awareness around children

• Register as a food business with your local council well before opening, and check how the food hygiene rating works
• Allergen information rules apply, so check what you must display and train staff
• Check your premises is allowed for cafe use (planning and lease terms) and ask about business rates
• Public liability insurance that covers play equipment, plus employer's liability once you hire
• Decide whether parents stay on site at all times; if you ever care for children without them, check whether Ofsted registration is needed
• Fire risk assessment, safe flooring and play equipment standards, and a music licence if you play music
• Fit-out and rent are big fixed costs, so test demand before committing
• Revenue varies a lot with location, footfall and opening hours, so build your forecast from realistic customer numbers and average spend

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £25,000 to £90,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and play equipment. Fit-out and rent are big fixed costs, so it is worth testing demand before you commit to a lease.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location, footfall and opening hours. Revenue varies a lot, so build your forecast from realistic customer numbers and average spend rather than hopeful figures.

Check you must register as a food business with your council well before opening, plus allergen rules, planning and lease terms, business rates, insurance, fire risk assessment and music licensing. If you ever care for children without parents present, check whether Ofsted registration is needed.