Gourmet food market stall

Market shoppers, foodies, weekend browsers and people buying gifts or ingredients for entertaining.

You sell at a markup on goods bought from wholesalers and producers. Takings depend on the number of market days, pitch fees and how much stock you sell through.

• Knowing your products well enough to advise and offer tastes
• Selling and chatting to customers
• Planning stock and managing cash
• Early starts and lifting

• Register as a food business with your local council (check the right council for where you are based or store food)
• Street trading rules and permissions differ by council and market, so check before you book
• Chilled food needs proper temperature control and food hygiene knowledge
• Public liability insurance, which many markets ask to see
• Weather and quiet days can hit takings
• Allergen information and labelling for loose and pre-packed foods

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your stall, equipment, chilled storage and opening stock. Check what your chosen markets require, as many ask for public liability insurance before they will book you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on which markets you trade at, your product range and the weather. This is takings before costs, so work out stock and pitch costs before judging your profit.

Check that you register as a food business with the right local council, and look at street trading rules and permissions for each council and market. Also check chilled food temperature control, allergen information and insurance.