Local drinks wholesaler with a small unit

Pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels, delis and independent shops in your area.

You buy at trade prices and sell on at a margin, with regular repeat orders from venues. Local or craft ranges that big wholesalers overlook can help you stand out.

• Sales and building trade relationships
• Stock control and organisation
• Driving and handling heavy cases
• Chasing payments politely

• You must be registered under HMRC's Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme to sell alcohol wholesale, so check the current rules and how long approval takes
• Check whether you will hold duty-paid stock or need a bonded warehouse, as the duty rules are complex
• Check with your local council whether any licence is needed for your premises or deliveries
• Customers may pay late, so set credit terms carefully
• Insurance for stock, van and public liability, and security for a unit holding valuable stock
• Only buy from suppliers who are properly registered, and keep good records

Startup costs for a small drinks wholesaler are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the size of your unit, your van, how much stock you buy and your insurance. Treat this as an estimate and cost your own plan.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on how many pubs, restaurants and shops you supply and the range you stock. That is revenue before stock, rent and van costs, so check your margins.

Check that you must be registered under HMRC's Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme and how long approval takes. Also check duty-paid versus bonded warehouse rules, whether your local council requires any licence for premises or deliveries, and what insurance you need.