Dive centre with kit shop, courses and trips

New learners, regular local divers, dive clubs and holidaymakers booking trips.

Course fees, kit sales and servicing, cylinder fills and hire, and a margin or commission on dive days and trips.

• Diving instructor qualification, or a qualified instructor on your team
• Retail and stock management
• Customer service and community building
• Basic business and cash flow management

• Pressure equipment and compressor rules, check HSE guidance and what servicing and testing are needed
• Health and safety rules for diving instruction, check HSE guidance
• Public liability, professional indemnity and stock insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire staff
• Business rates, planning use class and lease terms for your premises, check with your council
• Large stock costs and seasonal sales, so keep a cash buffer
• Rules on trips and package holidays, check whether package travel regulations apply to what you sell

Startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £100,000, depending on your premises, stock and equipment. These are estimates only. Large stock costs are a key factor, so keep a cash buffer for quieter seasons.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on course numbers, kit sales, air fills and trips. It is revenue, not profit, and sales can be seasonal, so plan your cash flow.

Check HSE guidance on pressure equipment, compressors and diving instruction, including servicing and testing needs. Also check insurance, business rates, planning use class and lease terms with your council, and whether package travel regulations apply to any trips you sell.