Ham and cured meat market stall
Sell hams and cured meats from a stall at farmers' markets and food fairs, with low overheads.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
5,286 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 47220 “Retail sale of meat and meat products in specialised stores”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A mobile version of a ham shop: a chilled stall or small gazebo at farmers' markets, food fairs and events, selling sliced and whole hams, cured meats and a few deli items.
Your first three steps
- Find local farmers' markets and food fairs and ask about pitch fees and waiting lists
- Source a few hams from producers or wholesalers and test sales on a small scale
- Register your food business with the council and sort chilled display and transport
Who pays
Market shoppers, foodies, event visitors and people buying gifts or Christmas hams.
How it makes money
You sell by weight, packs or whole joints at a mark-up on wholesale prices. Regular markets build repeat customers, and seasonal peaks such as Christmas can be strong.
Skills that help
- Talking to customers and offering tastings
- Safe food handling and slicing
- Basic bookkeeping and stock planning
- Early starts and working outdoors
Watch out for
- Register as a food business with the council where your stock is stored or prepared, and check any extra rules for mobile traders
- Keeping meat at the right temperature during transport and display
- Street trading or market pitch permissions, which vary by council, so check locally
- Public liability insurance, which most markets ask to see
- Allergen and labelling rules for products you pack or slice yourself
- Weather, quiet market days and unsold stock
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: ham and cured meat market stall
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a ham and cured meat stall?
Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your chilled display, gazebo, slicing equipment and opening stock. Treat this as an estimate and get prices for your own setup.
How much can a ham market stall earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how many markets and fairs you attend and how busy they are. This is revenue before costs, and weather, quiet days and unsold stock can reduce takings.
What rules should I check before selling cured meats at markets?
Check food business registration with the council where stock is stored or prepared, plus extra rules for mobile traders. Also check temperature control in transport and display, market pitch permissions, public liability insurance, and allergen and labelling rules.
Other ways to run this business
Specialist ham and cured meat shop
Open a small shop selling cured and smoked hams, sliced to order, with a few deli extras.
- £15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Online ham and charcuterie delivery
Sell cured and smoked hams and gift boxes online, packed and sent chilled to customers.
- £1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Similar food ideas
Specialist drinks supplier run from home
Supply a niche range, such as craft spirits or small-producer wines, to independent venues with small, regular orders.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Hong Kong cafe pop-up or market stall
Serve milk tea, egg waffles and toast at markets and events before you take on a cafe lease.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Specialist food supplier to local cafes
Source one niche range, such as speciality drinks or bakery ingredients, and deliver it in bulk to local cafes and caterers.
- £2k-10k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small-batch craft cider maker
Press local apples in an outbuilding and sell your own cider at markets, festivals and to local pubs.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Bubble tea stall for markets and events
Serve bubble tea from a stall or trailer at markets, festivals and private events without paying shop rent.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Own-brand sauce maker for local trade
Make your own sauces or dressings and supply them in catering tubs and bottles to local cafés and shops.
- £2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Photo: marybettiniblank on Pixabay