Coffee wholesaler with your own unit

Cafés, restaurants, hotels, delis, farm shops and workplaces that want a steady supply, training and equipment support.

Margin on coffee sold by the kilo to regular accounts, plus possible income from machine hire, servicing and supplies such as cups and syrups.

• Sales and account management
• Knowing coffee quality and flavour
• Managing stock, cash flow and suppliers
• Basic food hygiene

• Premises must be registered with the local council as a food business, so check the timing and any inspections
• Roasting your own beans may bring extra rules on equipment, fire safety, ventilation and emissions, so check with the council
• Check planning use class and business rates for any unit
• Public liability, product liability and employer's liability insurance if you hire
• A few large customers can make up most of your income, so losing one could hurt
• Check the VAT position as turnover grows

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the unit, equipment, stock and whether you roast yourself. Check business rates and the planning use class for any unit before you commit.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on how many trade customers you win and the size of their orders. A few large customers can make up most of your income, so losing one could hurt.

Premises must be registered with the local council as a food business, so check timing and inspections. Roasting your own beans may bring extra rules on equipment, fire safety, ventilation and emissions, so check with the council. Also check VAT as turnover grows.