Collectables shop with a small unit

Local collectors, hobby gamers, parents buying gifts, and people selling or trading their own collections.

Margin on items sold and bought in, plus new stock such as sealed products. Events and a regular customer base can add steady income, though rent and rates are fixed costs.

• Deep knowledge of your collecting areas
• Valuing items fairly when buying from the public
• Customer service and building a community
• Basic stock control and bookkeeping

• Rent, business rates and utilities are fixed costs, so check small business rates relief and lease terms
• Check whether the premises have the right planning use for retail
• Public liability insurance, and cover for stock against theft and damage
• Buying from the public means checking items are not stolen or fake
• Selling toys means checking product safety rules for items aimed at children
• Stock can tie up a lot of cash and some items may sell slowly

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, the fit-out and how much stock you buy. Rent, business rates and utilities are fixed costs, so check small business rates relief and lease terms.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on your location, your stock range and whether you also sell online. These are estimates, and stock can tie up cash because some items sell slowly.

Check that the premises have the right planning use for retail, and arrange public liability insurance plus stock cover for theft and damage. If you buy from the public, check items are not stolen or fake, and check toy safety rules.