Mobile key cutting van or market stall

Market shoppers, homeowners, landlords, letting agents, and small businesses needing quick copies.

A set price per key cut, with call-out fees for visits and small extra sales of padlocks and key rings.

• Steady hands and accuracy
• Customer service
• Organising routes and pitches

• Public liability insurance and cover for your equipment and stock
• Street trading may need a council licence or consent, check with your council
• Power supply for your machine when working away from a socket
• Bad weather affecting market days
• Cutting restricted or security keys may need checks on the customer's right to copy them

Startup costs are typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your equipment, whether you use a van or stall, and your stock. These are estimates, so price up your own setup before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £400 to £2,000, depending on how often you trade, your pitches and local demand. These are estimates rather than guarantees, and bad weather on market days can affect takings.

Check with your council, as street trading may need a licence or consent. Also check you have public liability insurance and cover for equipment and stock, and whether restricted or security keys need checks on the customer's right to copy them.