How to open a sweet and chocolate shop

Families, tourists, gift buyers and locals popping in for a treat.

You buy from wholesalers and makers, then sell at a mark-up by weight, by item or as ready-made gift bags and boxes. Busy seasons like Christmas, Easter and school holidays often matter most.

• Customer service
• Stock buying and ordering
• Visual display and merchandising
• Basic bookkeeping

• Register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before opening, so check the timing
• Food hygiene training and labelling rules for loose and prepacked sweets, including allergen information
• Public liability and stock insurance, and employers' liability if you hire staff
• Lease terms, business rates and any relief you might qualify for, so check with the council
• Seasonal sales swings and stock with short shelf lives

Startup costs are typically around £12,000 to £50,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Check lease terms, business rates and any relief you might qualify for with your council before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on location, footfall and range. Expect full-time hours of at least 40 a week, and remember seasonal sales swings and stock with short shelf lives.

Check registering as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before opening. Also check food hygiene training, labelling and allergen rules for loose and prepacked sweets, and your insurance, including employers' liability if you hire staff.