Appointment-Only formal wear studio

Brides and grooms, wedding guests, prom-goers and people who want a one-to-one fitting without a busy shop.

Mark-up on outfits sold, hire fees, and extras such as accessories and alteration referrals. You carry less stock, so your overheads are lower.

• Friendly one-to-one customer service
• Social media and basic photography
• Sizing and fitting
• Organising appointments and stock

• Running a business from home may need permission from your landlord, mortgage lender or council, especially with customers visiting
• Public liability and stock insurance, and check your home insurance covers business use
• Online sales have cancellation and returns rules, so check the Consumer Contracts Regulations before you write your policy
• Customers visiting your home, so think about privacy and personal safety
• Slow early demand without a shop window, so budget time for marketing

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on the size of your stock range, fitting space, website and insurance. A small curated range can help keep the initial outlay lower.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your range, how many appointments you take and whether you sell, hire or both. Demand may be slow at first without a shop window, so budget time for marketing.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to business use, especially with customers visiting. Check your home insurance covers business use, plus public liability and stock cover. For online sales, check the Consumer Contracts Regulations before writing your returns policy.