Full-Time dance school with its own studio

Families paying monthly or termly fees, adult learners, and sometimes schools or parties booking sessions.

Regular class fees and memberships, plus exam and show fees, merchandise, party hire and renting the studio to other teachers when it is free.

• Dance teaching qualification and experience
• Managing staff and freelance teachers
• Marketing and basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms, business rates and planning use class: check with the landlord and your council
• Fit-out costs (sprung floor, mirrors, lighting, flooring, toilets and changing areas) plus a rent deposit and legal fees can add up quickly, so get quotes before signing
• Fire safety requirements for the premises: check with your local fire and rescue service and council before signing
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
• Enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding for everyone teaching children
• Music licensing for playing music in classes, so check what licences you need
• Rent is a fixed cost every month, even in quiet school holidays

Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £90,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and deposits. Fit-out (sprung floor, mirrors, lighting, toilets and changing areas), a rent deposit and legal fees can add up quickly, so get quotes before signing.

Check lease terms, business rates and planning use class with the landlord and your council. Also check fire safety requirements with your local fire and rescue service, insurance, enhanced DBS checks for anyone teaching children, and music licensing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on class numbers, fees and teaching hours. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, and rent is a fixed cost every month, even in quiet school holidays.