Street food market stall

Shoppers, lunchtime visitors, families and event-goers who want a quick, tasty meal.

Price per portion, with a low-cost menu of a few dishes and drinks. Takings depend on pitch fees, footfall and how many trading days you do.

• Cooking quickly to a good standard
• Food hygiene and safe handling
• Friendly customer service
• Costing dishes and managing stock

• Register as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before you start trading, but check locally
• Allergen information must be available to customers, check current rules and how to display it
• Public liability insurance, which many markets and events ask for as standard
• Gas equipment may need safety certificates, and organisers often want to see them
• Weather and quiet days can hit takings, so plan for a few poor days
• Pitch fees and rules vary between markets, so check what each one charges and requires

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your gazebo or trailer, cooking equipment, stock, insurance and pitch fees. Pitch fees and requirements vary between markets, so check what each one charges.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on how often you trade, your menu and prices, and which markets you book. These are estimates only, and weather and quiet days can hit takings, so plan for a few poor days.

Check registering as a food business with your local council, usually at least 28 days before trading, but confirm locally. Also check allergen information rules, public liability insurance, gas safety certificates, and the fees and requirements of each market or event.