Dairy and cheese market stall

Market shoppers, local food fans and regulars who come back each week for their cheese and eggs.

You buy from producers or wholesalers and sell at retail prices. Pitch fees and travel are your main running costs, and you can add more market days as you grow.

• Friendly selling and chatting to customers
• Product knowledge so you can offer tasters and advice
• Early starts and working outdoors
• Managing chilled stock and cash

• Register your food business with your local council, usually before you start trading, so check the notice period
• Some places need street trading consent or a market operator's approval, so check locally
• Keeping stock cold through the day, including in hot weather and during transport
• Allergen labelling and food hygiene training
• Public liability insurance, which many markets require
• A suitable vehicle with chilled storage, and unpredictable weather affecting sales

Startup costs are typically around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on your chilled stall equipment, vehicle needs, opening stock and insurance. These are estimates, so budget from your own plans and the markets you want to trade at.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on the markets you attend, your range and prices, and the weather. Regular customers can help, but these figures are estimates, not guarantees, and revenue is not profit.

Check how to register your food business with your council, including the notice period, and whether you need street trading consent or market operator approval. Also check keeping stock cold, allergen labelling, food hygiene training, public liability insurance and suitable chilled transport.