Cookie shop with a small unit
Open a small shopfront or kiosk baking and selling fresh cookies, drinks and gift boxes every day.
- £10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,323 UK companies in this field, 35% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 10710 “Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakes”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small shop or kiosk baking cookies on site, selling by the cookie, in boxes and as gifts, often with hot drinks and ice cream, plus online or local delivery orders.
Your first three steps
- Research high-footfall spots and compare rents and business rates for small units or kiosks
- Write a simple business plan with costings for equipment, rent, staff and ingredients
- Test your menu at markets or pop-ups first, then register as a food business with the council before fitting out
Who pays
Passing shoppers, workers on lunch breaks, families, and customers ordering boxes for gifts, offices and events.
How it makes money
Daily walk-in sales, higher-value gift boxes, corporate and event orders, and add-ons such as drinks.
Skills that help
- Baking at volume with consistent quality
- Managing costs, stock and rotas
- Customer service and upselling
- Local marketing
Watch out for
- Rent, business rates and fit-out costs, check whether small business rates relief might apply
- Food business registration, hygiene standards and possible council inspection
- Planning, change of use and signage permissions, check with the council and landlord
- Employer's liability insurance once you hire, plus public liability cover
- Long opening hours and thin margins in the early months
🔒 Full research report for UK
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to open a cookie shop in the UK?
Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. These are estimates, so check rent, business rates and fit-out quotes before you commit.
How much can a cookie shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on location, opening hours, product range and orders. These are estimates, and margins can be thin in the early months.
What rules should I check before opening a cookie shop?
Check food business registration, hygiene standards and possible council inspection. Also check planning, change of use and signage permissions with the council and landlord, and whether small business rates relief might apply.
Other ways to run this business
Home cookie bakery with online orders
Bake cookies at home and sell boxes by post, local delivery or collection through social media and your own page.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Cookie stall at markets and events
Sell fresh cookies at farmers' markets, food fairs and local events, baked in a approved kitchen.
- £800-3.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
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Photo: RomeoandJuliet on Pixabay