Start a small-scale local honey business

Neighbours, friends of friends, farmers' market shoppers, local cafes, farm shops and delis that like to stock local produce.

Sales of honey by the jar, plus small extras like wax products and gift sets. Local, labelled jars usually sell for more than supermarket honey.

• Patience and calm handling of bees
• Learning beekeeping through a local association
• Basic jarring, labelling and hygiene
• Simple selling at markets or online

• Honey is a food: check with your local council about food business registration and labelling rules
• Check public liability and product liability cover, often available through beekeeping associations
• Bee diseases and swarming need regular management, so allow time through spring and summer
• Check landlord, neighbour or allotment rules before placing hives
• Harvests vary with weather and forage, so income can swing year to year

Startup costs are typically around £600 to £2,500, depending on how many hives you start with, your protective kit and your extraction and jarring equipment. These are estimates, so price up your own set-up.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £50 to £600, depending on your harvest and where you sell. Harvests vary with weather and forage, so income can swing from year to year.

Honey is a food, so check with your local council about food business registration and labelling rules. Also check public liability and product liability cover, landlord, neighbour or allotment rules before placing hives, and how to manage bee diseases.