Start a Drum School with Its Own Rooms

Parents of children and teenagers, adult learners, and sometimes local schools or youth groups.

Lesson and term fees from students, group class fees and holiday courses. Growth comes from adding teachers and filling more rooms across the week.

• Strong drumming and teaching ability
• Managing and scheduling teachers
• Marketing to local families
• Basic bookkeeping

• Soundproofing costs and noise complaints, check the lease and speak to the landlord and neighbours first
• Budget for the lease deposit, first months' rent, soundproofing and several drum kits before you earn anything; fit-out quotes can vary widely
• Check whether the premises need change of use permission or business rates, and ask your council
• Public liability insurance and employer's liability insurance if you hire staff rather than using self-employed teachers
• Safeguarding: enhanced DBS checks and a child protection policy are strongly advisable for teachers working with children, check current requirements
• If you play recorded music in the school, check whether you need a music licence
• Quiet periods in summer and school holidays can affect income

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £50,000, depending on the lease deposit, first months' rent, soundproofing and the number of drum kits. Fit-out quotes can vary widely, so get several before you sign.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on how many teachers, students and group classes you run. These are estimates only, and summer and school holidays can be quieter.

Check your lease, soundproofing and neighbours, plus change of use and business rates with your council. Also check insurance, enhanced DBS checks and a child protection policy, and whether you need a music licence for recorded music.