Local produce and goods home delivery

Independent retailers and producers who want to offer delivery, and households who pay a delivery fee, often older people or busy families.

A delivery fee per order or a monthly retainer from each shop, plus customer delivery charges. A tight route with many drops per trip keeps costs down.

• Reliable timekeeping
• Friendly with customers
• Organised packing and routes
• Careful handling of fresh goods

• Hire and reward vehicle insurance and goods in transit cover
• If carrying chilled or fresh food, check food hygiene and temperature rules with your local council
• Register for food business purposes if you handle or store food yourself, check with your council
• Relying on one or two shops for most of your income is risky
• Missed or late deliveries can quickly hurt your reputation in a small area

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £300 to £5,000, depending on the vehicle you use, packing equipment and insurance. Get quotes for hire and reward vehicle insurance and goods in transit cover before setting your budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on how many shops and households you serve and how many delivery days you run. The estimates assume at least about 8 hours a week.

If you carry chilled or fresh food, check food hygiene and temperature rules with your local council. If you handle or store food yourself, check whether you need to register as a food business. Also check hire and reward insurance.