Town box office and ticket shop

Customers pay a booking fee on top of the ticket price, and organisers or venues may pay commission or a handling fee.

Booking fees and commission on each ticket, plus optional extras such as printing, gift vouchers or group bookings. Income depends on how many organisers you work with and your footfall.

• Friendly customer service
• Cash and card handling
• Building relationships with venues and promoters
• Organising and record keeping

• Shop rent and rates can be a big fixed cost, so check the numbers before signing a lease
• Holding customers' money: check when you must pay organisers and what happens if an event is cancelled
• Public liability insurance and contents cover for your premises
• Check planning use class, lease terms and any business rates relief with your council
• Data protection duties for the customer details you collect, including any ICO registration needed

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your premises or kiosk, fit-out, ticketing and payment systems, and insurance. Rent and rates can be a big fixed cost, so check the numbers before signing a lease.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your location, how many venues and promoters you work with, and the booking fees or commission you earn. Estimates start from about 30 hours a week.

Check the planning use class, lease terms and any business rates relief with your council. Check when you must pay organisers and what happens if an event is cancelled. Consider public liability and contents cover, and check data protection duties, including any ICO registration.