Coffee vending: a few machines on the side

Staff, customers and visitors at the sites pay per cup at the machine, usually by contactless card or coins.

You earn the margin between the price per cup and the cost of ingredients, cups and servicing, after any commission or rent agreed with the site owner.

• Approaching businesses and negotiating a placement
• Basic machine cleaning and fault-finding
• Reliable restocking routine

• Food businesses usually need to register with the local council, so check this before you start
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for the machines themselves
• Machines need regular cleaning and descaling to meet food hygiene standards; consider a food hygiene course
• Some sites may not generate enough sales, so agree a trial period and check you can remove the machine
• Electrical safety, such as PAT testing, may be needed for the machines; check what applies

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how many machines you place, whether you buy or lease them, and your first stock of supplies. Check insurance costs as well.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,500, depending on the number of machines and how busy each site is. Some sites may not generate enough sales, so agree a trial period and check you can remove a machine.

Check whether you need to register as a food business with your local council. Also check public and product liability insurance, cover for the machines, regular cleaning and descaling for food hygiene, and whether electrical safety checks such as PAT testing apply.