Local bottled gas and appliance shop

Households off the mains gas network, caravan and campervan owners, campers, barbecue users, market traders and small businesses.

A margin on each cylinder sold or exchanged, plus profit on appliances, accessories and sometimes a small delivery charge.

• Customer service and product knowledge
• Safe handling of heavy cylinders
• Stock control and basic bookkeeping

• Check whether any licence, consent or notification applies to your premises and the quantity of LPG you plan to store. Small stockists often need no separate licence, but you must still do a risk assessment and follow storage rules. Confirm with your supplier, the local fire and rescue service, the council and the Health and Safety Executive
• Public liability and product liability insurance, and check your policy covers gas storage
• Supplier requirements, deposits and training for staff handling cylinders
• Selling gas appliances: check what safety information and installation advice you must give, as fitting usually needs a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Demand is seasonal, so plan cash flow for quieter months

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your premises and stock. These are estimates. Also check that your insurance covers gas storage and what deposits or training your supplier requires.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on your location and product range. This is an estimate. Demand is seasonal, so plan your cash flow for quieter months.

Check whether any licence, consent or notification applies to your premises and the quantity of LPG you plan to store. Do a risk assessment, follow storage rules, and confirm details with your supplier, the fire and rescue service, the council and the HSE.