Monthly flea and craft market in a hired hall

Sellers pay you for a table or stall space. Shoppers usually pay a small entry fee or get in free.

Stall fees per event, minus hall hire, insurance and advertising. Some organisers add a small door charge or a tea and cake stand run by a local group.

• Organising and planning
• Friendly with sellers and shoppers
• Promoting events on social media and locally
• Calm when things go wrong on the day

• Public liability insurance for the event, and check what the hall's own insurance does and does not cover
• Hall hire terms such as deposits, cancellation, fire exits and maximum numbers
• Sellers of food and drink need to be registered with their local council, so ask for proof
• Check sellers are not selling fake or unsafe goods, and consider asking Trading Standards for guidance
• Weak turnout early on can mean you still have to pay the hall, so start with a smaller venue
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC once you start earning

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £300 to £1,500, depending on the hall and how you set up. Starting with a smaller venue can limit the risk if early turnout is weak, as you may still have to pay the hall.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £1,500, depending on turnout and how many tables you let. Sellers pay you for table or stall space, and shoppers may pay a small entry fee or get in free.

Things to check include public liability insurance for the event, the hall's own insurance and hire terms such as deposits, cancellation, fire exits and maximum numbers. Food and drink sellers need to be registered with their local council, so ask for proof.