Take over an existing eat-in chippy

Existing local customers, families eating in, passing trade and holidaymakers if the shop is in a visitor area.

Payment for each meal, plus drinks, sides and desserts. A running shop usually earns from day one, but you carry the purchase price and any lease costs.

• Cooking and running a fryer safely
• Reading accounts and spotting what a shop is really worth
• Managing and keeping staff
• Looking after regular customers

• Check the lease length, rent reviews and whether it can be assigned to you
• Ask whether staff transfer with the business and what your obligations would be
• Check the hygiene rating, equipment condition and extraction system, as repairs can be costly
• Tell the council about the change of food business operator, and check whether an existing alcohol licence can be transferred
• Be wary of figures that cannot be verified, as takings can be overstated
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance, plus fire safety checks

Estimates suggest costs are typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on the shop's location, equipment, lease and the price agreed for the business. Check the equipment's condition, as repairs can be costly.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £15,000 to £50,000, depending on location, seating, opening hours and how busy the shop already is. Be wary of figures you cannot verify, as takings can be overstated.

Check the lease length, rent reviews and whether it can be assigned to you. Ask whether staff transfer, and check the hygiene rating and extraction system. Tell the council about the change of food business operator, and check whether any alcohol licence can be transferred.