Specialist drinks supplier run from home

Independent bars, restaurants, delis, farm shops, gift shops and small hotels that want something different from the big wholesalers.

You earn the margin between your trade buying price and your wholesale price. Orders are small, so you build up regular customers over time.

• Good product knowledge
• Selling and following up leads
• Keeping accurate stock and order records
• Basic website or email ordering set-up

• AWRS registration is needed to sell alcohol wholesale, so check the current requirements with HMRC
• Storing stock at home may need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, and home insurance may not cover business stock
• Check whether any licence is needed from your local council
• Courier and pallet costs for glass can eat into margins, so work out delivery costs before quoting
• Public liability and stock insurance
• Late-paying customers, so consider payment up front for new accounts

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on the range you stock, how much you buy upfront, your insurance and any trade ordering page. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own niche.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your niche, the number of venues you supply and order sizes. That is revenue, not profit, so factor in courier and pallet costs for glass.

Check the current requirements for AWRS registration with HMRC, and whether any council licence is needed. Also check whether your landlord, lender or council allows stock storage at home, that your home insurance covers stock, and what business cover you need.