Small espresso bar with a counter
Open a compact coffee bar serving espresso drinks and simple snacks to people passing through.
- £25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A small unit with a counter, a commercial espresso machine and a little standing or perching space. You serve espresso-based drinks and light snacks such as pastries and toasties.
Your first three steps
- Walk potential streets at different times of day, count passing trade and note competing cafes
- Get quotes for a lease, a commercial espresso machine and grinder, and a barista course for yourself
- Contact your local council about food business registration and ask about planning use class for the unit
Who pays
Commuters, office workers, shoppers and locals who want a quick, good coffee.
How it makes money
Selling drinks and snacks at a margin well above ingredient cost. Takings depend on footfall, opening hours and how many cups you serve at busy times.
Skills that help
- Making consistently good espresso drinks
- Customer service at speed
- Cash flow and stock control
- Managing a small team
Watch out for
- Register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before opening (check locally)
- Food hygiene rules and a food safety plan (HACCP), plus allergen information for customers
- Planning use class and any changes needed for a premises, plus lease terms and business rates
- Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you hire staff
- Rent, equipment and staff costs are fixed, so quiet months can be tough
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small espresso bar with a counter
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a small espresso bar in the UK?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £25,000 to £90,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and equipment. Rent, equipment and staff costs are fixed, so allow for quieter months.
How much revenue can a small espresso bar make?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on location, opening hours and footfall. This is revenue before rent, stock and staff costs are taken off.
What do I need to check before opening an espresso bar?
Things to check: register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before opening, plus food hygiene, a food safety plan (HACCP), allergen information, planning use class, business rates and insurance.
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