Comic book café with your own premises

Comic fans, students, families, local workers and people who just want a relaxed place to sit with a drink.

Mainly drink and food sales. Extra income can come from comic and merchandise sales, ticketed events, private hire for parties and small sponsorship or partnership deals.

• Friendly customer service
• Basic food and drink preparation
• Knowledge of comics and graphic novels
• Managing stock, costs and rotas

• Register your food business with your local council before you open (check how far in advance)
• Food hygiene and allergen rules, including the right training for you and staff
• Check the premises' planning use class and lease terms, and whether you need permission to change use
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance once you hire, and cover for stock and contents
• Playing music in the café usually needs a music licence, so check what applies
• Rent, business rates and thin margins on drinks and snacks can be hard in a quiet first year

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £25,000 to £80,000, depending on your premises, fit-out, equipment and opening stock. Rent, business rates and thin margins on drinks and snacks can make a quiet first year hard.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on your location, opening hours and menu. Costs such as rent and business rates come out of that, so check your margins carefully.

Check that you register your food business with your local council before opening, and how far in advance. Also check food hygiene and allergen rules and training, planning use class, lease terms, insurance, and whether you need a music licence.