Personal grocery shopper and delivery service

Older people, people with limited mobility, busy families and anyone who prefers a trusted local person to a supermarket slot.

A service fee per shop, either flat or based on time or basket size, plus a delivery charge. The customer pays for the groceries themselves.

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Good with people, including older customers
• Organised, with sensible budgeting and receipts

• Public liability insurance, and check that your motor insurance covers business use for deliveries
• Handling customers' money and cards: keep clear receipts and agree how you are paid back
• Food hygiene for chilled and frozen items; check with your local council whether you need to register
• Check whether you need a DBS check if you work with vulnerable customers, as some clients may ask for one

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,000, depending on what you already have and the insurance you need. Check that your motor insurance covers business use for deliveries before you start.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on how many regular weekly clients you have and how many hours you work. Treat these as estimates rather than promises.

Check public liability insurance and whether your motor insurance covers business use. Agree how customers pay you back and keep clear receipts. Check with your local council about food hygiene registration for chilled items, and whether clients may ask for a DBS check.