Small neighbourhood hair salon

Local residents and workers, from regular trims to colour, event styling and children's cuts.

Service prices from your own chair, plus either chair rental from self-employed stylists or margin on employed stylists' work. Retail products add a little extra.

• Hairdressing qualification and experience
• Managing a small team and diary
• Basic bookkeeping and cost control
• Local marketing and customer care

• Lease terms, business rates and the cost of fit-out, so get advice before signing
• Public liability and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
• Whether you need a council licence or registration, which varies by area, so check locally
• Employment rules, payroll and pensions if you hire; check how chair rental arrangements are treated for tax
• Chemical handling, patch tests, and fire and electrical safety
• Fixed costs continue when bookings are quiet

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on your premises, number of chairs and equipment. These are estimates. Get advice on lease terms, business rates and fit-out costs before signing anything.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how many chairs you run, your prices and how full your diary is. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and fixed costs continue when bookings are quiet.

Check whether you need a council licence or registration, as this varies by area. Also check public liability and employer's liability insurance, employment, payroll and pension rules if you hire, how chair rental is treated for tax, and chemical handling, patch tests, fire and electrical safety.