Goldfish and aquarium shop (small premises)

Families buying a first tank, hobbyists upgrading kit, and pond keepers who want fancy goldfish varieties.

Margin on live fish, plus repeat sales of food, water treatments, filter media and replacement equipment. Tank set-ups bring in larger one-off sales.

• Knowledge of fish care and water quality
• Friendly, patient customer service
• Basic stock control and bookkeeping

• Selling pet animals usually needs a local council licence, and rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check yours
• Public liability insurance, plus cover for stock loss and equipment failure
• Livestock losses from disease or a power cut, so plan for backup aeration and quarantine tanks
• Business rates, lease terms and running costs for tanks and heating
• Employer's liability insurance if you take on staff

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £15,000 to £50,000, depending on the unit, the number of display tanks, your opening stock and shop fit-out. Lease terms, business rates and running costs for tanks and heating also affect your budget.

Selling pet animals usually needs a local council licence, and rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check yours. Also check public liability insurance, cover for stock loss and equipment failure, and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £4,000 to £15,000, depending on location, stock range and footfall, with at least 35 hours a week. Livestock losses from disease or a power cut can hurt, so plan backup aeration and quarantine tanks.