Full-Time karate school with your own dojo

Families with children, adult members, and schools or groups who book sessions.

Monthly membership fees, grading fees, kit sales, private lessons and holiday clubs. Higher fixed costs mean you need steady member numbers to cover rent.

• Senior grade with solid teaching experience
• Running a business and managing cash flow
• Marketing to local families
• Managing and training assistant instructors

• Planning permission or change of use may be needed for the premises, check with your local council
• Lease terms, deposits, business rates and repair obligations
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability insurance if you hire staff
• Enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding procedures for all instructors working with children
• Fixed costs continue in quiet months such as summer, so keep a cash reserve
• Fire safety, first aid and a risk assessment for the premises

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your unit, mats, mirrors and changing space. Check lease terms, deposits, business rates and repair obligations, and keep a cash reserve for quiet months.

Check whether planning permission or a change of use is needed with your local council. Also look at public liability insurance, employer's liability if you hire, enhanced DBS checks and safeguarding for instructors working with children, and fire safety.

You will typically need a senior grade with solid teaching experience. Running a business, managing cash flow, marketing to local families and training assistant instructors matter just as much. Fixed costs continue in quiet months such as summer.