Outdoor christmas market for your town

Traders pay pitch or chalet fees. Income can also come from sponsors, a bar or food concession, and charges for rides or activities.

Pitch and chalet fees plus sponsorship and concession income, less site hire, insurance, equipment, marketing, staff and clean-up costs.

• Event planning and budgeting
• Negotiating with councils, landlords and traders
• Health and safety awareness

• Permission to use public land, which may involve the council's event or safety advisory process
• Street trading rules, a premises licence or Temporary Event Notices if alcohol is sold, so check with your council
• Event public liability insurance, plus cancellation cover for bad weather
• Risk assessments, fire safety, first aid, crowd management and any road closures
• Food traders need to be registered with their council, and gas and electrics need safety checks
• Large upfront costs for chalet or stall hire, site fees, power, toilets, security, insurance and marketing, paid before stall fees come in
• Employer's liability insurance if you hire staff

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £15,000 to £75,000, depending on the site, chalet or stall hire, power, toilets, security, insurance and marketing. Many of these costs are paid before any stall fees come in.

Check permission to use public land, which may involve the council's event or safety advisory process. Also check street trading rules, and a premises licence or Temporary Event Notices if alcohol is sold, plus insurance, risk assessments and food trader registration.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the number of traders, pitch fees, sponsors and any bar or activity income. The estimates assume at least about 20 hours a week of work.