Open a small independent garden shop and plant yard

Local homeowners, allotment holders, keen gardeners and small landscapers who want advice and convenience.

Retail margin on plants and supplies. Sales peak in spring and early summer, so seasonal extras such as Christmas trees and bulbs help fill the quieter months.

• Plant knowledge and a willingness to keep learning
• Buying and stock control
• Friendly customer service
• Physical stamina for lifting and watering

• Public liability and stock insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire
• Business rates, lease terms and whether the premises have the right planning use, so check with your council
• Weather and seasonal swings: unsold plants die, so manage stock carefully
• Plant health rules, including plant passports for some plants, so check with Defra or APHA
• Safe storage and sale of any chemicals, so check the rules

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, yard set-up and how much plant and product stock you buy. Seasonal stock needs careful planning so cash is not tied up.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000 as an estimate, depending on your location, range and local niche. Sales swing with the seasons and the weather, and unsold plants die, so manage stock carefully.

Check public liability and stock insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire. Also check business rates, lease terms and planning use with your council, plant health rules and passports with Defra or APHA, and rules on storing and selling chemicals.