Small neighbourhood hammam

Locals looking for a wellbeing treat, couples and friends booking together, tourists, and people buying gift vouchers.

Entry or session tickets, add-on treatments such as scrubs, foam wash and massage, memberships, private group bookings and vouchers.

• Customer care and hospitality
• Managing a building, staff and bookings
• Knowing the traditional scrub and wash treatments

• Planning permission or change of use for the premises, check with your council
• Whether your council requires a licence for treatments such as massage, rules vary by area
• Water hygiene and Legionella risk assessments, plus ventilation and slip hazards
• Fire safety, building regulations and public liability insurance
• High fixed costs such as rent, energy and business rates, so plan your cash flow carefully
• Clear policies on single-sex sessions and customer health conditions

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £40,000 to £150,000, depending on premises, fit-out and equipment. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at £7,000 to £30,000, depending on location, pricing and how busy you are.

Things to check include planning permission or change of use with your council, and whether your council requires a licence for treatments such as massage, as rules vary by area. Also check fire safety, building regulations and water hygiene risk assessments.

Useful skills include customer care and hospitality, managing a building, staff and bookings, and knowing the traditional scrub and wash treatments. Plan cash flow carefully, as rent, energy and business rates are high fixed costs.